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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Hamilton 992B Montgomery Dial Railroad Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Hamilton railroad grade open-face pocket watch is dated by the auction source to circa 1958. It features a white porcelain Montgomery dial inscribed 'HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL' with bold black Arabic hour numerals, continuous outer minute numbering with red five-minute markers, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The source records a 21-jewel Hamilton grade 992B movement, serial number C484936, with pendant winding and lever setting. The watch is cased in a 50mm gold-filled case decorated with an engraved braid pattern around the bezel.

Front view of Hamilton 992B open-face pocket watch showing Montgomery dial and gold-filled case
Front view of Hamilton 992B open-face pocket watch showing Montgomery dial and gold-filled case — Cowan's Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hamilton
Reference
992B
Catalogue / lot identifier
119
Source-reported date
ca 1958
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
C484936

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 Hands

The pocket watch is configured in an open-face style featuring a white porcelain Montgomery dial signed 'HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL'. Visible layout elements include black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. The hands are cataloged as blackened.

Visual observation indicates faint hairline cracks running across the center and lower portion of the dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open face.”
  • “White porcelain Montgomery dial.”
  • “Blackened hands.”
  • “White dial signed 'HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL' with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Faint hairline cracks are visible across the center and lower portion of the dial face.”

Case Construction and Discrepancy

The timepiece is housed in a 50mm gold-filled case. Direct visual observation records an engraved interwoven braid motif decorating the bezel and case shoulder.

The auction catalog specifically notes a discrepancy in the case components, stating that it has an 'incorrect screw on back'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold filled 50mm case with incorrect screw on back.”
  • “Bezel and case shoulder show an engraved interwoven braid motif.”

Reported Movement and Dating

The auction listing describes the timepiece as a Hamilton railroad grade pocket watch dated to circa 1958. It is stated to operate via pendant wind and lever set mechanisms.

The catalog records a 21-jewel Hamilton grade 992B movement bearing serial number C484936. Because the movement is not visible in the auction lot photograph, these specifications and mechanical details remain unverified source claims.

Evidence for this section
  • “A Hamilton Railroad grade pocket watch, ca 1958.”
  • “Pendant wind, lever set.”
  • “Hamilton 21 jewel 992B movement number C484936.”

Open research questions

  • What specific case maker, reference markings, or serial numbers are stamped on the interior of the gold-filled case and the associated incorrect screw back?
  • Does direct physical inspection of movement number C484936 confirm the 21-jewel count, 992B grade marking, and lever-set operation?
  • To what extent do the hairline cracks on the porcelain dial affect structural integrity around the dial feet or subsidiary register?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton 992B Montgomery Dial Railroad Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade992B“Hamilton 21 jewel 992B movement”
Movement Serial NumberC484936“movement number C484936”
Case Size and Material50mm Gold filled“Gold filled 50mm case”
Dial TypeWhite porcelain Montgomery dial“White porcelain Montgomery dial.”
Setting MechanismPendant wind, lever set“Pendant wind, lever set.”
HandsBlackened“Blackened hands.”
Case Back DiscrepancyIncorrect screw on back“Gold filled 50mm case with incorrect screw on back.”
Approximate Dateca 1958“A Hamilton Railroad grade pocket watch, ca 1958.”

Visible details

  • White dial signed 'HAMILTON RAILWAY SPECIAL' with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.
  • Bezel and case shoulder show an engraved interwoven braid motif.
  • Faint hairline cracks are visible across the center and lower portion of the dial face.

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the 50mm gold-filled case has an 'incorrect screw on back'.
  • Movement and case back are not visible in the provided lot image.

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

Consulted source

Hamilton 992B Montgomery Dial Railroad Pocket Watch  sold at auction on 22nd May | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c9fa235f22

Terms in this record

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

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