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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

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

Partially verified

This open-face American railroad pocket watch was produced by the Hamilton Watch Company circa 1950. The seller states the timepiece is powered by a size 16, 23-jewel nickel bridge 950B movement bearing serial number S17508, equipped with a micrometer regulator and lever setting. The movement is fitted inside a 10K gold-filled Model 11 case measuring 50 mm in diameter with an engraved patterned bezel. The white enamel dial is configured with bold black Arabic numerals, an inner red 24-hour chapter ring reported for the Canadian market, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds register. The watch is accompanied by an original upright cream Bakelite flip-top presentation case.

Hamilton 950B railroad pocket watch shown upright next to its cream Bakelite presentation case
Hamilton 950B railroad pocket watch shown upright next to its cream Bakelite presentation case — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. 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
4.86 (AB-77111)
Source-reported date
circa 1950
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
S17508

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 is configured in an open-face style beneath a mineral glass crystal. According to the seller, the white enamel dial features a single-sunk layout designed for the Canadian market, bearing an inner red enamel 24-hour chapter ring alongside a pair of blued steel hands and the signature “Hamilton”.

Direct visual observation confirms a single-sunk white dial with black Arabic numerals for 1–12, an inner red track showing 13–24, blued hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The yellow gold-toned case shows an engraved decorative bezel and matching bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel dial was made for the Canadian market with an inner red enamel 24 hour chapter ring.”
  • “The dial is single sunk and has a striking pair of blue steel hands. The dial is signed “Hamilton” and is in 100% mint condition.”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”
  • “Single-sunk white dial with black Arabic numerals, an inner red 13–24 hour ring, blued hands, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock”
  • “Open-face pocket watch in a yellow gold-toned case with an engraved decorative bezel and bow”

Case Construction and Presentation Box

The listing reports that the movement is housed in a Model 11 10K gold-filled open-face case measuring 50 mm in diameter by 13 mm in depth. The case construction features a screw-off back and bezel, with milled edges and a smooth, plain finish across the reverse.

The piece is accompanied by a cream Bakelite flip-top cigarette-style presentation box. The exterior of the box is signed “Hamilton” on the lid and displays a crest on the front body; its interior is lined with velvet, though the seller notes that the velvet is missing from the lid.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a model 11, 10K Gold filled open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel. The case has milled edges with a smooth plain finish on the back.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm x 13mm deep”
  • “The watch comes in a bakelite flip top cigarette style box. The box is signed Hamilton on the lid and has the crest on the front. The inside is lined with velvet but the velvet is missing from the lid”

Reported Movement and Operating Mechanism

Because the case back is closed in the available photograph, movement details derive entirely from the seller's description. The seller describes the mechanism as a stem-wound, lever-set nickel bridge movement signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” with serial number S17508.

The dealer further reports that the movement features 23 jewels, jewelling to the mainspring, a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, a gold-capped escape wheel and lever, and gold jewel settings. The text notes that the 950B utilized an Elinvar Extra hairspring, though it also confusingly refers to an "Elinvar mainspring".

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “The movement is signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” S17508.”
  • “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. The movement is jewelled to the mainspring and has an Elinvar mainspring as described above.”
  • “Both watches used the finest hairspring at the time, which was an Elinvar hairspring, however the 950B used an Elinvar Extra hairspring”

Open research questions

  • Does direct examination of movement S17508 corroborate the reported 23-jewel count, six-position adjustment, and 950B markings?
  • Do internal case back markings confirm the Model 11 designation and 10K gold-filled composition?
  • Does the serial number S17508 correspond to factory production records around 1950?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton 950B 16-size 23-jewel railroad pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHamilton Watch Co.“This is an American Railroad pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch co circa 1950”
Movement Grade & Inscription950B, 23 Jewels, S17508“The movement is signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” S17508.”
Case SpecificationModel 11, 10K Gold filled open face case“the movement comes in a model 11, 10K Gold filled open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel.”
Dimensions50mm x 13mm deep“The watch measures 50mm x 13mm deep”
Dial DescriptionWhite enamel Canadian market dial with red 24-hour track“the white enamel dial was made for the Canadian market with an inner red enamel 24 hour chapter ring.”
Maker and Stated PeriodHamilton Watch Co., circa 1950“This is an American Railroad pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch co circa 1950”
Winding and Setting MechanismStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”
Crystal MaterialMineral glass“The watch has a mineral glass”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch in a yellow gold-toned case with an engraved decorative bezel and bow
  • Single-sunk white dial with black Arabic numerals, an inner red 13–24 hour ring, blued hands, and subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock
  • Upright cream Bakelite presentation case marked 'HAMILTON' vertically on the flip lid, with a crest on the lower body and a blue velvet interior

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not visible in the provided primary photograph; movement grade and serial number rely on seller reporting.
  • The seller notes that velvet lining is missing from the inside of the box lid.

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

Consulted source

16 Size 23 Jewel Hamilton 950B Pocket watch c1950 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9809e43337

Terms in this record

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

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