Posted 4 years ago
JacksonMZL
(1 item)
Hey all, this is my first time posting on this forum, so please excuse any mistakes or errors. I was given this pocket watch from my grandfather who worked in the railroad. I’ve searched high and low, yet cannot find any similar examples of this specific case. I have searched the serial number, and I know the movement is a 940. However, I cannot find this specific pocket watch anywhere online. Thanks In advance for your responses and insight!
Your grandfather may have worked in the railroad, but I don't believe this is a RR watch. It is a beautiful pocket watch though. We have a few experts here, so I'll let them help you...
Hi, JacksonMZL. :-)
I'm not an expert, but I was able to look up serial number 847219 :
*snip*
From the American Horology Archive:
Hamilton Watch Co.
Grade: 974
Manufacturer: Hamilton
Manufacturer Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Movement Serial Number: 847219
Grade: 974
Model: 1
Class: 5
Estimated Production Year: 1911
Run Quantity: 1,800
Total Production: 114,784
Size: 16s
Jewels: 17j
Jewel Setting: Screw-Set
Movement Configuration: Openface
Movement Finish: Nickel
Movement Setting: Lever or Pendant
Plate: 3/4 Plate
Regulator: Reed
Hairspring: Breguet
Adjusted: Yes
Adjusted to Position: No
Adjusted to Temperature: Yes
Railroad Grade: No
Dial Feet Locations: 7.6, 21.8, 38.0, 50.5
Hamilton 16s Dial Feet Research
Data Research: 1953 Hamilton Serial List
*snip*
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/847219
Hmmm, apparently, that was the case serial number, and I can't seem to find the movement serial number in your pictures:
http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/sn-lookup.html
What pictures can I post to help decipher what exactly I have here. Keramikos, the serial number for the movement can be found in the first picture in gold text. It’s hard to read, but I believe it reads “847219”.
JacksonMZL, if that pcoketwatchrepair dot com site I linked is to be believed, that 847219 is the case serial number, and in fact when I plugged that number into the pocketwatchdatabase dot com site, it came back with information that doesn't jibe with what is inscribed on your watch (for instance, the database came back with 17j, but your watch is inscribed with "21 JEWELS.")
I don't see another number that looks like it could be a movement serial number. There is what looks like a 4 digit number engraved in the edge of the back. It looks like it might be 3402 (there is also a free-standing "3" digit way over to the left of that), but I don't think that's a movement serial number.
FWIW, I tried plugging both 3402 and 33402 into the pocketwatchdatabase tool as serial numbers, but it came back with 17 jewel and 16j watches, so that isn't right.
I'm afraid that you need some expert help, and that would not be me. :-(
Keramikos, thank you for your help! Where would you recommend to get help for further information?
JacksonMZL, Well, you could hold on for a bit longer here, and hope that somebody besides dav2no1 and me weigh in on it.
CW user pw-collector seems to be a quite a pocket watch enthusiast, but also seems not to have been active here lately. Hopefully, they're all right, will see this, and opine.
Alternately, you could join a forum that specializes in vintage watches and clocks, e.g.:
https://www.nawcc.org/join/
https://www.watchuseek.com/help/faq/#how_to_register
https://www.watchtalkforums.info/help/faq/#how_to_register
Thank you so much!
JacksonMZL,
I’m far from being an expert, but your pocket watch movement is a Hamilton 940 and advertised as having the most phenomenally accurate time-keeping records, is more extensively used and in far greater numbers on all main railroad lines of America than any other watch (taken out of The Timekeeper, The Hamilton Watch booklet dated 1911).
The serial number on your watch movement is 647219 and the estimated manufacture date is 1909.
The 940 movement was made for an open face watch case. Your grandfather may have had it re-cased in a hunting case after he left or retired from the railroad.
It is a lever-set movement (time is set by pulling out, with your fingernail, the lever at the 2:00 position, then pushed back in when the correct time is set.
It is definitely a railroad grade and approved pocket watch.
I carry my Hamilton 940 quite often.
I hope this answers a few of your questions.
Dave
Here is the Hamilton 940 I have.
Dave
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/153324-hamilton-no-940-railroad-timekeeper?in=collection-726
pw-collector, you have an absolutely beautiful watch! Thank you for the info and replies, it’s greatly appreciated! I’m thinking of having mine appraised, where would be the best place to go? Just any watch appraiser or someone specific?
Well I learned something...I thought most RR watches had the power/use meter on them..nice
pw-collector, D'oh!
So I misread the MSD of that serial number (it's not 847219, but rather 647219), and it is indeed the movement serial number:
https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/647219
Yup, everything looks good now: movement 940, 21 jewels, railroad grade. :-)
On another note, it's a relief to see your fonts. When long-time CW S&T users aren't active here for a stretch, it becomes worrisome in these perilous times.