The Great Kipton Train Wreck of 1891 led to the adoption of a national regulation called the General Railroad Timepiece Standards. To meet the new criteria for railroad timepieces, the Hamilton Grade 940 was introduced in 1898, launching the era of the great American railroad pocket watches. It also earned Hamilton their reputation as “The Railroad Timekeeper of America.” 

This Hamilton Grade 940 Model 1 was produced in 1912. It is a hefty size 18 pocket watch. Interestingly, the size 18 was the preferred size until 1915 because smaller watches were considered dainty and feminine. 

The movement is housed in a gorgeous train engraved, chrome-plated case in pristine condition. The train engraved case is a very popular case and tells the story of Hamilton’s association with the railroads during the first half of the twentieth century.  

This watch’s Grade 940 Model 1 movement is in excellent condition and features the desirable Damaskeene finish pattern. This watch set an unparalleled standard to which other watch companies around the world aspired but could never match.