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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Hamilton 950B 16-size railroad pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an American 16-size open-face railroad pocket watch produced by the Hamilton Watch Co. circa 1952. The dealer reports it contains a 23-jewel nickel bridge movement designated 950B, serial S18112, adjusted to temperature and six positions, with gold jewel settings, a micrometer regulator, and an Elinvar Extra hairspring. Stem wound and lever set, it is mounted in a 10K gold-filled Model A case measuring 50 mm in diameter by 14 mm deep. The white single-sunk melamine dial features bold Arabic hour numerals, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial, marked 'Hamilton, 23 Jewels Railway Special'.

Front view of Hamilton 950B open-face pocket watch dial and case
Front view of Hamilton 950B open-face pocket watch dial and case — Atlam Watches / 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
4.195 (AB-276356)
Source-reported date
circa 1952
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
S18112

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

Visual Dial and Case Configuration

The timepiece presents an open-face configuration with an off-white, single-sunk dial marked below the 12 o'clock position with the text 'HAMILTON / 23 JEWELS / RAILWAY SPECIAL'. Hour indications are rendered in bold black Arabic numerals encircled by an outer railroad minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock, with time displayed via blued steel spade hands.

The movement is housed in a yellow-tone case measuring 50 mm in diameter and 14 mm in depth. Visible casework includes a screw bezel featuring milled or ribbed patterning, crowned by a top-winding stem and bow enclosing a bevelled mineral glass.

Evidence for this section
  • “White single-sunk dial marked 'HAMILTON / 23 JEWELS / RAILWAY SPECIAL' below 12 o'clock”
  • “The watch measures 50mm x 14mm deep”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Reported Movement Specifications

Because the provided visual record shows only the front of the watch, all movement specifications are derived strictly from dealer reporting. The seller states that the watch contains an open-face, stem-wound and lever-set mechanism designated as a Hamilton grade 950B, bearing the movement serial number S18112.

According to the listing, the nickel bridge movement incorporates 23 jewels (jewelled to the mainspring), a lever escapement, gold jewel settings, a micrometer regulator, and a gold-capped escape wheel and lever. The seller reports it is signed 'Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels' and fitted with an Elinvar Extra hairspring.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” S18112.”
  • “the 950B used an Elinvar Extra hairspring”
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”

Case Specifications and Dating Limitations

The dealer identifies the housing as a 'model A, 10K Gold filled open face case' constructed with a screw-off bezel and back, characterized by milled edges and a smooth plain finish on the rear cover.

Dating the piece to circa 1952 is entirely seller-asserted. As the movement and interior case markings are concealed in the listing photographs, independent verification of the movement serial, internal case hallmarks, and original factory pairing cannot be established from the documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a model A, 10K Gold filled open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel.”
  • “This is an American Railroad pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch Co circa 1952”

Open research questions

  • What specific reference stamps, serial numbers, and manufacturer trademarks are stamped inside the screw-off Model A case back?
  • Does direct physical inspection of movement serial S18112 confirm the reported bridge engraving, 23-jewel count, and Elinvar Extra hairspring assembly?
  • Does the melamine dial exhibit any underlying hairline cracking or crazing not resolved in the primary listing photograph?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton 950B 16-size railroad pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHamilton Watch Co.“This is an American Railroad pocket watch made by the Hamilton Watch Co circa 1952”
Jewel Count23 Jewels“The movement is signed “Hamilton Watch Co, USA, Adj temp & 6 positions, 950B, 23 Jewels” S18112.”
Movement Serial NumberS18112“S18112”
Case Material10K Gold filled“the movement comes in a model A, 10K Gold filled open face case”
Dimensions50mm x 14mm deep“The watch measures 50mm x 14mm deep”
Dial SignatureHamilton, 23 Jewels Railway Special“The dial is signed “Hamilton, 23 Jewels Railway Special””
Crystal TypeBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
Dial MaterialMelamine“Dial – the melamine dial is single sunk and has a striking pair of blue steel hands.”

Visible details

  • White single-sunk dial marked 'HAMILTON / 23 JEWELS / RAILWAY SPECIAL' below 12 o'clock
  • Bold black Arabic hour markers and an outer railroad minute track
  • Blued steel hands with subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Yellow-tone open-face case featuring a ribbed screw bezel and top-winding crown with bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement is concealed within the case and not shown in the provided photograph; all movement details rely on source text
  • The item is marked as sold by the dealer

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

Consulted source

Mint 16 Size 23 Jewel Hamilton 950B Rail road Pocket watch c1952 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ca5b597f9f

Terms in this record

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

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