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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Hamilton 950B 16-size 23-jewel railroad pocket watch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this American railroad pocket watch was manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Co. circa 1952 (dated c. 1957 in the listing title). The 16-size nickel bridge movement, grade 950B, bears 23 jewels and is adjusted to temperature and six positions with serial number S21608. The source notes it is fitted with an Elinvar Extra hairspring, a lever escapement, and a micrometer regulator. The movement is cased in a Model A 10K gold-filled open-face case featuring milled edges and raised circular motifs on the bezel. The single-sunk Montgomery melamine dial displays bold Arabic numerals and blued steel hands with subsidiary seconds.

Front view of the Hamilton 950B pocket watch with Montgomery dial and 10K gold-filled case
Front view of the Hamilton 950B pocket watch with Montgomery dial and 10K gold-filled case — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hamilton Watch Co.
Reference
950B
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.289 (AB-151022)
Source-reported date
c. 1952 / c. 1957
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
S21608

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

Dial and Visual Appearance

The pocket watch displays an open-face configuration with a single-sunk Montgomery-style melamine dial signed 'Hamilton, Railway Special'. Visible dial elements include distinct Arabic hour numerals, a continuous perimeter minute track with individual Arabic figures, and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by a pair of blue steel hands.

The timepiece measures 50 mm across by 15 mm deep. Visible around the front bezel is a milled outer border accented by repeating raised circular motifs, with the winding crown and bow positioned directly above 12 o'clock. The seller reports that the watch is fitted with a flat bulls-eye glass.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Montgomery style dial is signed “Hamilton, Railway Special””
  • “Dial – the melamine dial is single sunk and has a striking pair of blue steel hands.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm x 15mm deep”
  • “The watch has a flat bulls eye glass”

Reported Movement and Construction

According to the seller's description, the movement is a 16-size high-grade nickel bridge grade 950B mechanism bearing serial number S21608. The dealer states it features 23 jewels, gold jewel settings, a micrometer regulator, a lever escapement, and a gold-capped escape wheel and lever. The listing notes it is jewelled to the mainspring, utilizes an Elinvar Extra hairspring, and is stem-wound and lever-set.

The movement decoration is described as having pinstripe damascening on the bridges and circular damascening on the winding wheels. Engraved bridge text is transcribed by the dealer as 'Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels' alongside serial number S21608.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – the high grade nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator, gold capped escape wheel and lever and gold jewel settings.”
  • “signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” S21608.”
  • “The movement has pinstripe damascening with circular damascening on the winding wheels/”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”

Case Details and Source Limitations

The movement is housed in what the listing terms a Model A 10K gold-filled open-face case fitted with a screw-off back and bezel. The exterior features milled edges and raised circular motifs, with a smooth plain finish reported on the case back. Wear noted in the listing includes light scratches on the case back and deep marks on one small raised circle on the back bezel.

Because the provided photograph only displays the front dial side, all movement descriptions—including the caliber grade, jewel settings, damascening, and serial number S21608—rely solely on the dealer's catalog text. In addition, the source provides conflicting production dates, listing 'c1957' in the listing title while stating 'circa 1952' in the item description.

Evidence for this section
  • “model A, 10K Gold filled open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel.”
  • “The case has milled edges, with raised circular motifs with a smooth plain finish on the back.”
  • “light scratches on the back and one small raised circle on the back bezel has been deep marks .”
  • “16 Size 23 Jewel Hamilton 950B Pocket watch c1957 in Antique Mens Watches”
  • “This is an American Railroad pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch co circa 1952”

Open research questions

  • What accounts for the date discrepancy between c. 1957 in the listing title and circa 1952 in the body text?
  • Can physical inspection of the movement confirm serial number S21608, jewel count, and bridge markings directly?
  • What manufacturer trademarks or case numbers are stamped inside the screw-off back cover of the Model A case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton 950B 16-size 23-jewel railroad pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade950B“Hamilton made two B models, the 992B and the 950B.”
Jewel Count23 Jewels“950B, 23 Jewels”
Serial NumberS21608“S21608”
Case Material10K Gold filled“model A, 10K Gold filled open face case”
Dimensions50mm x 15mm deep“The watch measures 50mm x 15mm deep”
Dial SignatureHamilton, Railway Special“signed “Hamilton, Railway Special””
Glass TypeFlat bulls-eye glass“The watch has a flat bulls eye glass”
Winding and SettingStem-wound / lever-set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
AdjustmentsAdjusted to temperature and 6 positions“Adj temp & 6 positions”
Inventory / Item Code4.289 (AB-151022)“Code 4.289 (AB-151022)”

Visible details

  • Full front view showing the Montgomery-style white dial with distinct Arabic hour numerals and perimeter minute numbers.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals.
  • Gold-filled bezel ornamented with raised circular accents along a milled outer border.
  • Winding crown and bow located directly above the 12 o'clock position.
  • Dial signed 'HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL'.

Research qualifications

  • The source provides conflicting dates: c1957 in the listing title and circa 1952 in the body description.
  • Movement details and serial number cannot be verified from the image as only the dial side is shown; details rely entirely on dealer statements.

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

Consulted source

16 Size 23 Jewel Hamilton 950B Pocket watch c1957 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1eda29e329

Terms in this record

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

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