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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Hamilton Grade 950B 23 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face railroad pocket watch is identified by the auctioneer as a 16-size Hamilton Grade 950B Railway Special dating to circa 1942. The visible white double-sunk dial features bold black Arabic numerals, an outer railroad minute track, blued hands, and a subsidiary seconds display at 6 o'clock, signed 'HAMILTON 23 JEWELS RAILWAY SPECIAL'. According to source details, the watch is housed in an original signed 10k gold-filled Model A case measuring approximately 51 mm, and contains a 23-jewel nickel bridge plate lever-set movement with a gold gear train.

Front view of the open face Hamilton Railway Special pocket watch showing dial, hands, and bow
Front view of the open face Hamilton Railway Special pocket watch showing dial, hands, and bow — Luxe Auctioneers. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.luxeauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hamilton Watch Co.
Reference
Model A
Catalogue / lot identifier
184
Source-reported date
circa 1942
Country
United States

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 Presentation

The pocket watch displays a white double-sunk dial configured with bold black Arabic numerals and a peripheral railroad minute track. Time is indicated by blued steel spade/baton-style hands, accompanied by a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock mark. The dial face is signed with the upper designation reading 'HAMILTON 23 JEWELS RAILWAY SPECIAL'. The catalog further describes the dial as white porcelain enamel in an Art Deco style.

Direct observation of the front assembly reveals an open-face, gold-toned housing with a grooved winding crown, a contoured bow, and a distinct setting lever notch visible near the 1 o'clock index, consistent with lever-set railroad pocket watch construction.

Evidence for this section
  • “White double-sunk dial with black Arabic numerals and matching railroad minute track”
  • “Blued steel spade/baton-style hands with a small subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock”
  • “Open face gold-toned case with a grooved winding crown, contoured bow, and visible lever setting notch near 1 o'clock”
  • “Dial: White porcelain enamel double sunk Hamilton 23 Jewels Railway Special dial with black Art Deco style Arabic numerals.”

Case Architecture and Reported Specifications

The timepiece is fitted in an open-face case constructed from 10k gold-filled material, designated by the catalog as an original 'Model A' case signed by the Hamilton Watch Co. Dimensional details provided in the auction entry state the watch is a 16-size standard, measuring approximately 51 mm in diameter and weighing approximately 103 grams.

The exterior condition is reported by the auction house as being in 'very good condition with scratches and normal signs of wear', with the dial reported to have 'no sign of damage.'

Evidence for this section
  • “10k gold filled Model A open face case signed Hamilton Watch Co.”
  • “The 16 size watch measures approx. 51mm and weighs approx. 103 grams”
  • “Case: In very good condition with scratches and normal signs of wear”
  • “Dial: In excellent condition with no sign of damage.”

Reported Movement and Catalog Limitations

According to the auctioneer's cataloging, the internal caliber is a 23-jewel Grade 950B nickel bridge plate lever-set movement featuring a solid gold gear train and signed by the maker. The lot title provides an approximate date of circa 1942.

These mechanical details are entirely source-reported, as the movement is not visible in the provided reference photograph. Crucially, no movement serial number is recorded in the auction listing, precluding an independent check of production dates or movement-to-case factory pairing against historical Hamilton ledgers. Luxe Auctioneers noted the movement was running at cataloging but was not tested for accuracy or duration.

Evidence for this section
  • “23 jewel grade 950B nickel bridge plate movement with gold gear train signed Hamilton Watch Co.”
  • “HAMILTON GRADE 950B 23 JEWEL RAILWAY SPECIAL POCKET WATCH, CIRCA 1942”
  • “Movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement serial number stamped on the nickel bridge plates, necessary to firmly establish the manufacture year beyond the catalog's circa 1942 attribution?
  • Does the interior case back exhibit matching Hamilton factory serial or reference numbers corresponding to the Grade 950B movement?
  • Does inspection of the uncased movement confirm the presence of the original solid gold gear train components without later repair substitutions?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton Grade 950B 23 Jewel Railway Special Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade950B“Hamilton Grade 950B Railway Special 23 jewel 16 size railroad approved open face pocket watch”
Jewel Count23 jewels“23 jewel grade 950B nickel bridge plate movement with gold gear train”
Case Material10k gold filled“10k gold filled Model A open face case signed Hamilton Watch Co.”
Size16 size, approx. 51mm“Size: 16 size; approx. 51m”
Total WeightApprox. 103 grams“weighs approx. 103 grams”
Dial MaterialWhite porcelain enamel“Dial: White porcelain enamel double sunk Hamilton 23 Jewels Railway Special dial with black Art Deco style Arabic numerals.”
Packaging and DocumentationNo box, papers, or accessories“Box: No Papers: No Accessories: None”
Railroad Approval ClaimRailroad approved“Hamilton Grade 950B Railway Special 23 jewel 16 size railroad approved open face pocket watch”

Visible details

  • White double-sunk dial with black Arabic numerals and matching railroad minute track
  • Blued steel spade/baton-style hands with a small subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock
  • Open face gold-toned case with a grooved winding crown, contoured bow, and visible lever setting notch near 1 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement not visible in provided photograph; internal components cannot be independently verified from image
  • Movement serial number is not specified in the auction text

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

Consulted source

Lot - HAMILTON GRADE 950B 23 JEWEL RAILWAY SPECIAL POCKET WATCH, CIRCA 1942

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 322d0aca12

Terms in this record

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

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