A Return to Pocket Watches

[31FordA]

I have a bunch of pocket watches, including watches from my Dad and both of my grandfathers. My Dad and his father never wore wristwatches, they said it was too easy to bust a wristwatch working in construction. My first watch in grade school was a pocket watch, and they were the only watches I used until I started flying. Digging my Westclox pocket watch out of my pocket in a Cessna 152 was a hassle, so I started wearing a Hamilton wrist watch.

I still wear a pocket watch when I'm doing yard work, working on cars, or going to the range. I'm sure Dad and Grandpop would approve.

 

[DWalt]

A railroad grade Waltham. It has a crystal on the back to show the movement and can be lever-set for accuracy. This cost the equivalent of a weeks pay when it was new. I suppose the railroad issued them to the personnel who needed to carry one ?

At one time American mass produced watches were among the best in the world.

I believe railroaders needing an accurate watch had to buy their own. And they had to be periodically inspected and adjusted by an approved jeweler or watchmaker. A trainman had to carry his watch inspection card with him. I have some of those cards from the 1940s. I came from a railroad town and I remember several local jewelry stores having signs in their windows saying that they were approved railroad watch inspection stations. I imagine technology has eliminated the need for such watches long ago.

 

[Chuck24]

I believe railroaders needing an accurate watch had to buy their own. And they had to be periodically inspected and adjusted by an approved jeweler or watchmaker. A trainman had to carry his watch inspection card with him. I have some of those cards from the 1940s. I came from a railroad town and I remember several local jewelry stores having signs in their windows saying that they were approved railroad watch inspection stations. I imagine technology has eliminated the need for such watches long ago.

Plus railroads rarely run both directions on one track anymore, which as I understand it, is the reason such accurate watches were required.

 

[Jon651]

I just realized that I don't have any really good close-up pictures of the watches in my collection to post. The next time my brother-in-law is in town with his fancy cameras I'll ask him to take a few photos (it might also help with insurance!).

Here is a picture of my display case. The only watch with the solid cover (4th row down, far right) is my grandfather's 1915 Elgin that I inherited about 20+ years ago that started my interest - and my collection.

Edit - I don't know why this picture keeps getting rotated 90 degrees, but I don't know how to correct it. Sorry...

 

[NYlakesider]

I did as mentioned carry a pocket instead of a wrist watch on job sites as a safety factor for a few years!

I retired from my construction job over 20 years ago and other than when going ashore when on a cruise, have not had a watch (wrist or pocket) with me. Heck just about every appliance in the house has a clock, my ATV, boat, car/trucks cell phones all have clocks.

 

[jscheck]

I've purchased a fob and leather strap for my watch and I'll post pictures when they arrive. I think the fob will be of particular interest to the board (even if it's a repro)!

 

[Mike 139]

I bought my first Pocket Watch when I was about 11…I needed it so I could be on time for my paper route…It was a Wesclox and cost around a dollar…I went thru a couple of them… lost or broken…


My wife gave me Her Grandfathers Elgin watch made in 1895…Fahey Case. We had it serviced and it keeps good time…with current events , it's a good option to wearing a higher end wristwatch…

 

[two-bit cowboy]

My grandfather (Dad's Dad) left me his 17-jewel railroad watch.

A few years ago a friend made a vest out of cowhide for me. He used a tiny tornado of a cowlick in the hide to make a pocket for the watch. I always carry the watch when I wear that vest. The "button" for the chain to attach to is an elk tooth.

 

[S&W629]

Gold Watch

When I turned 18..(1969)..I inherited my grand fathers solid gold pocket watch..a Walthem....which I still have...and it still runs....which gave me the impetus to collect pocket watches over the years..have two dozen..of various makes....found a odd one....a Timex Pocket Watch....that an email exchange with Timex....said did not exist....till I sent them a pic...then after they researched their files....found it as a one off special order....it still runs...

and the last one.....that keeps time to a minute fast in a month

 

[ladder13]

I have three American railroad watches, two Hamiltons from the 1950s and this 1921 Illinois Sangamo Special:

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From the late 19th to mid 20th centuries, American railroad watches were among the finest timepieces in the world. They were required to be accurate to within 30 seconds a week, and were inspected weekly.

The requirement for highly accurate watches for railroad use came about because on the single track rails of the day, too many trains were running smack into each other. With accurate watches, one could safely pull aside on a spur to let the other pass.

The mechanism is a thing of beauty.

Sure beats my Apple Watch.

 

[bummer]

Craftsmanship, even the cheapest ones

 

[jscheck]

Fob just came in the mail

Fob just arrived. Check it out!



Sorry they flipped I don't know how to fix it.

 

[H Richard]

I recently had my Grandfather's pocket watch restored. I've had that on my agenda for many years and finally got it done. Sorry, this is the only picture I had on my computer, doesn't do it justice.

It's an Elgin, and the watchmaker who did the work dated it to 1907 I believe. 15 jewel, roman numeral's, scroll-work hands, white china face with gold accents. It now keeps time within about 15-20 seconds a week. The only thing I hadn't thought of was it requires "daily" winding, about 32 turns of the stem every morning. I have it in a brass stand and sitting on the shelf just above my computer.

 

[StrawHat]

I have been wearing pocket watches for about 30 years now. (My brother has reminded me that I carried a watch in High School so more like 50 years.) My oldest is an National Watch Company, Ryerson Model from 1873. It is my everyday work at home watch. I also have an Elgin, from about 1885. NWC became Elgin, both are key wound and key set. They are 30 hour watches and need to be wound each day. I also have a Hambden, stem wind, lever set watch that is my out in public work watch. Recently, I received my maternal grandfathers watch case. The story goes that Gramdfather lent his watch to his brother so he could impress a girl. The brother returned the watch, but put it in Grandfather's drawer. Several weeks/months later Grandfather went to put on his watch and noticed something amiss! His brother had pawned the movement! Grandfather never replaced the movement but kept the case. I got the case several years ago from my eldest cousin.

My wife found an era appropriate movement and had it serviced and installed.

This is my Church watch, marrying, christenings and buryings.

Kevin

 

[M1Garandy]

I've been wearing and using a pocket watch since I was in HS. An Illinois that dates to the nineteen teens.

I've worn out one case and have put more money into it to keep it is running than it is worth, but no plans to retire it any time soon.

I do not own a wristwatch.

 

[Faulkner]

I started carrying a pocket watch when I was 13 years old. While I will still wear a wrist watch, I carry a pocket watch more often than not. If nothing else, it just screams "style points!"

Seeing Mule Packer's post I thought how similar our pocket watch experiences are. I purchased my first watch, which was a pocket watch, when I was about 13. I'd been staying with my grandparents in Mississippi for the summer working on the farm, hauling hay, and doing some evening catfishing on the Tallahatchie River. I always admired my grandfather's pocket watch so after I received some farm pay we went to town I bought me a pocket watch. I never really was much on chains and preferred a fob.

It's over 45 years old and still keeps perfect time. I'm a wrist watch guy but like Mule Packer there are times I still pull out the pocket watch for stylin'.

 

[jrm53]

Back in the early seventies my Dad and my brother were working on a John Deere model 45 combine and Dad had a Bullseye brand dollar pocket watch in his overalls and it was really hot, and my brother told Dad to get that hammering watch out of his ear, they are both gone now. Dad in 84 and Jack in 92. Be thankful for family because you never now how long you will have them. Jeff

 

[StrawHat]

I am surprised at how many of us still carry and use a pocket watch, nearly 50, just on this forum.

Kevin

 

[Donn]

When Dad, (RIP), hired on to New York Central RR in the early 50's, pocket watches were mandatory. He was given a chit for a Hamilton Standard Railroad pocket watch, (deducted from his first paycheck). He carried it till the railroad relented and allowed wristwatches in the 70's. Yes, I still have it, but it means too much to risk carrying every day.

 

[brucev]

My brother got me a Hamilton 992 back in 1990. Great watch. Church members complained that the worship services ran to long. That watch was easy to see when I was leading services. Gave it back to him b/c I know he wanted it. Nowadays ... giving some real thought to buying another. Do these watches have problems with electrical devices/magnitism? Sincerely. bruce.

 

[StrawHat]

My brother got me a Hamilton 992 back in 1990. Great watch. Church members complained that the worship services ran to long. That watch was easy to see when I was leading services. Gave it back to him b/c I know he wanted it. Nowadays ... giving some real thought to buying another. Do these watches have problems with electrical devices/magnitism? Sincerely. bruce.

Yes, they can become magnetized. Usually the mainspring. Easy enough to demagnetize. I have a degaussing device just for the purpose.

Kevin

 

[jscheck]

Bruce the magnetism issue relates to the earlier watches (mine I found was not affected). Check with someone knowledgeable before you purchase if you're concerned. I have a magnetic money clip I quit carrying just to be careful.

 

[Jon651]

My brother got me a Hamilton 992 back in 1990. Great watch. Church members complained that the worship services ran to long. That watch was easy to see when I was leading services. Gave it back to him b/c I know he wanted it. Nowadays ... giving some real thought to buying another. Do these watches have problems with electrical devices/magnitism? Sincerely. bruce.

Yes, older pocket watches can have issues with magnetism but almost any jeweler or watch smith that deals in mechanical watches will have a de-magnetiser. Just place the watch on the device and press one button. It takes all of three or four seconds and I would be surprised if anyone would even charge you for it (sorry for the pun...).

 

[johnjohn]

When I was about 12 I had a paper route. One customer was ahardware store. On display was a board with pocket watches $3.95. I told myself I would have one when I got enough money. Never happened.

 

[Mark 40]

Railroad Pocket Watch

Wife and I recently visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania near Lancaster after taking in "David" at the nearby Sight and Sound Theatre. Couldn't pass by this exhibit without taking pics for the pocket watch fans. Cut a bit off the description photo but you can make out what they are describing.

 

[Onomea]

When I was about 12 I had a paper route. One customer was ahardware store. On display was a board with pocket watches $3.95. I told myself I would have one when I got enough money. Never happened.

Well, there's an easy fix to that regret!

 

[Bald1]

I have a Ball Watch Co railroad standard pocket watch that belonged to my dad. 999N 27 jewel. What little info I've found online indicates 1922-1924 model yr.

 

[Onomea]

Bald, 27 jewel? That's a lotta jewels!

(You might find this interesting: Hamilton/Ball, Model 999-N, 23J, from 1919 approximately. - Topic)

 

[StrawHat]

Webb C Ball had a jewelry shop in Cleveland Ohio. In 1891 two trains collided in Kipton, Ohio causing property losses and quite a few deaths. The cause of the accident was that the conductors on the two train had timepieces with different times on them.

After the collision, the train companies got together to try and solve the problem. They commissioned Ball to come up with the standards for a pocket watch that would allow the trains to share the road without colliding. He studied the existing standards and came up with a list of minimum requirements for a railroad grade watch. They were adopted and used through out the industry. These standards were maintained until the 1960s when the use of pocket watches was discontinued.

Kevin

 

[Jon651]

Webb C Ball had a jewelry shop in Cleveland Ohio. In 1891 two trains collided in Kipton, Ohio causing property losses and quite a few deaths. The cause of the accident was that the conductors on the two train had timepieces with different times on them.

After the collision, the train companies got together to try and solve the problem. They commissioned Ball to come up with the standards for a pocket watch that would allow the trains to share the road without colliding. He studied the existing standards and came up with a list of minimum requirements for a railroad grade watch. They were adopted and used through out the industry. These standards were maintained until the 1960s when the use of pocket watches was discontinued.

Kevin

In addition, the Railroad Watch Standards evolved over time, following along with the progression in the quality of watches. They were updated every few years and a watch that once was acceptable could be outdated in the next version. At one point, the standards went so far as to have an actual list of manufacturers/models that were approved.

The standards were also not mandated by the government - a railroad could use all or selected parts depending on their need. For example, local "short line" railroads with limited traffic were not nearly as strict as the larger regional or national railroad lines who moved a lot of trains every day. Some of the larger, "richer" railroads actually had additional standards above and beyond those that Ball came up with, which for some would even include the railroad watch inspector sealing the setting lever with a drop of wax and a tiny seal in order to tell if the watch had been reset if allowed to run down - a very serious offense at that time!

And just to be clear, not all pocket watches are "high jeweled"; not all high jeweled watches are "railroad grade"; and only a small fraction of all the railroad grade watches produced were ever used by an actual railroad. Regardless, if you are looking for a pocket watch then either high jeweled and/or railroad grade are good things to look for.