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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad grade pocket watch with up/down indicator

Ball Watch Co. 'Official RR Standard' pocket watch by Hamilton, No. B235985

Partially verified

This gold-filled, keyless Railroad Grade pocket watch was produced circa 1902 by Hamilton for the Ball Watch Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. Encased in a three-body bassine case by Keystone measuring 51.7 mm in diameter, the watch features a white enamel double-sunk dial with bold Arabic numerals, an outer minute ring, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Located below 12 o'clock is an up/down winding indicator. According to the source, the 16-size nickel movement incorporates 19 jewels, a split three-quarter plate layout, and adjustment to five positions.

Front view of the Ball Watch Co. Railroad Grade pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and up/down indicator
Front view of the Ball Watch Co. Railroad Grade pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and up/down indicator — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad grade pocket watch with up/down indicator
Maker / attribution
Ball Watch Co. / Hamilton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
163
Source-reported date
circa 1902
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
B235985

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Exterior Construction

The watch is housed in a 51.7 mm gold-filled case identified as a three-body 'bassine' style manufactured by Keystone. The exterior features a polished finish with a screwed bezel and back. The case back is documented as engine-turned and decorated with an engraved foliage pattern.

The classification of the case maker and style originates from the auction catalog description. Observations regarding the specific physical condition of the exterior are not visible in the provided photographic evidence.

Evidence for this section
  • “three-body, "bassine" by Keystone, polished, screwed bezel and back, engine-turned back with engraved foliage pattern.”
  • “Diam. 51.7 mm.”

Dial and Configuration

The white enamel dial features a double-sunk layout with bold Arabic numerals and an outer minute ring. Time is indicated via blued steel 'Spade' hands. The dial carries the signature 'Ball Watch Co. Cleveland, O.' along with the emblem 'Trademark Official RR Standard'.

Functional dial elements include a sunken 36-hour up/down winding indicator situated below the 12 o'clock position and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “D. white enamel, double sunk, bold Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, sunk up/down indicator below 12 o'clock, sunk subsidiary seconds.”
  • “Blued steel "Spade" hands.”
  • “Dial also signed "Trademark Official RR Standard".”

Movement Specifications

The movement is a 16-size nickel, 3/4 split plate caliber, described as damascened and adjusted to 5 positions. It contains 19 jewels with the top jewels seated in gold settings. Technical components include a straight-line lever escapement, a cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, a blued steel Breguet balance spring, and a swan neck micrometric regulator.

The movement is engraved 'Trademark', 'Pat. Nov. 17.96', and 'Sapphire Pallets'. This component is not visible in the provided photographic record.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 16 size, nickel, 3/4 split plate, damascened, 19 jewels, the top ones in gold settings, adjusted to 5 positions, gold center wheel, straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold srews, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regulator.”
  • “Movement engraved "Trademark", "Pat. Nov. 17.96", "Sapphire Pallets".”

Open research questions

  • Do Hamilton serial number records for the 1902 period corroborate the production of movement B235985?
  • What are the specific technical distinctions of the 'Pat. Nov. 17.96' movement patent referenced in this model?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ball Watch Co. 'Official RR Standard' pocket watch by Hamilton, No. B235985
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Serial NumberB235985“No. B235985”
Date of Manufacturecirca 1902“circa 1902”
Diameter51.7 mm“Diam. 51.7 mm.”
Movement Size16 size“16 size”
Jewel Count19 jewels“19 jewels”
Adjustments5 positions“adjusted to 5 positions”
Case MakerKeystone“three-body, "bassine" by Keystone”
Estimated Datecirca 1902“circa 1902”
Movement ConditionOverhaul recommended“Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with bold black Arabic numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Sunk 36-hour up/down winding indicator located below the 12 o'clock position.
  • Sunk subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel spade hands.
  • Yellow-gold-toned case featuring a fluted winding crown and an arched stirrup bow.
  • Dial signed with 'Trade Mark Official RR Standard' emblem and 'Ball Watch Co. Cleveland, O.'.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and decorated case back are not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • Movement specifications, jewel count, and condition grading rely entirely on auction catalog description.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Ball Watch Co., Cleveland, O., "Official RR Standard", No. B235985, by Hamilton, circa 1902.Very rare and fine, gold-filled, keyless Railroad Grade watch with 36-hour winding indicator. | The Art of American Horology & Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks | New York, 28th November 2001

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 66ce719f31

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.