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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch

Hamilton Railway Special 992B Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this 16-size American pocket watch dates to 1950 and was produced by Hamilton Watch Co. It is powered by a Grade 992B manual-wind, lever-set movement bearing serial number C291421, adjusted to temperature and six positions with 21 jewels. The movement is fitted inside a 50 mm engraved 10K yellow gold-filled case stamped by Keystone J. Boss. The white dial displays heavy gothic Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock, and is signed 'Hamilton Railway Special'.

Front view of Hamilton Railway Special 992B pocket watch showing gothic dial and engraved gold-filled case
Front view of Hamilton Railway Special 992B pocket watch showing gothic dial and engraved gold-filled case — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hamilton Watch Co.
Reference
992B
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-2178
Source-reported date
1950
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
C291421

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

Case and Exterior Construction

The timepiece is housed in a 50 mm round case constructed of 10K yellow gold-filled material. The bezel and bow feature decorative scrollwork engraving.

The interior case back is signed 'KEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535'. The case thickness is recorded as 13.7 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Diameter 50mm”
  • “Case Thickness 13.7”
  • “The round case bezel and bow display decorative scrollwork engraving.”
  • “Case Back Signed: KEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535”

Dial Characteristics

The watch features a white dial with gothic Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed 'Hamilton Railway Special' below the 12 o'clock marker.

A vertical hairline crack is present on the dial face, extending from the center.

Evidence for this section
  • “white HG (heavy gothic) dial (unfortunately with a crack on the dial) with bold Arabic Numerals”
  • “The sub second is located at 6.”
  • “The dial is signed "Hamilton Railway Special".”
  • “A fine crack extends vertically down the dial across the center.”

Movement Specifications

The movement is identified as a Hamilton Grade 992B, a manual-wind, 21-jewel mechanism. It is reported to be adjusted to temperature and six positions.

The movement bears serial number C291421. The watch utilizes a lever-set mechanism for time adjustment.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hamilton grade 992B, 21 jewel movement”
  • “adjusted temperature and 6 positions”
  • “Serial Number C291421”
  • “The 992B is a lever set watch, so you pull out a lever to set the time.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement serial number C291421 correspond to 1950 production records?
  • What is the manufacturing date range for the Keystone J. Boss case serial number 8496535?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton Railway Special 992B Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Grade992B“Hamilton grade 992B, 21 jewel movement”
Movement Serial NumberC291421“Serial Number C291421”
Jewel Count21 Jewels“Grade 992B 21 Jewels”
Case Back MarkingKEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535“Case Back Signed: KEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535”
Case Diameter50mm“Case Diameter 50mm”
Case Back MarkingsKEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535“Case Back Signed: KEYSTONE JBOSS 10K Gold Field 8496535”

Visible details

  • A fine crack extends vertically down the dial across the center.
  • The round case bezel and bow display decorative scrollwork engraving.
  • The dial features bold gothic Arabic numerals with an outer minute track and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • The dial is signed 'HAMILTON' and 'RAILWAY SPECIAL' below the 12 o'clock marker.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back details are reported by the source seller and not directly shown in the provided photograph.
  • A visible vertical hairline crack is present on the dial face.

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

Consulted source

1950 HAMILTON Railway Special Pocket Watch U.S.A. Made – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9adef3b485

Terms in this record

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

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