Pocket watch · Railroad-grade pocket watch

Hamilton Watch Co. 16S 992 Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Hamilton Watch Co. 16-size pocket watch is built around a high-grade 992 movement. The watch features a 21-jewel movement with a double roller, adjusted to five positions. The movement carries the serial number 871015. It is housed in a Wadsworth 10K gold-filled case, which bears the serial number 0887135 and a patent date mark of May 22, 1926. The timepiece is characterized by a "bar over crown" design, an element identified as a Hamilton hallmark for secure winding stem retention. The white dial displays black Arabic numerals, red five-minute markers, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The overall diameter of the case is two inches, excluding the bow. The watch meets historical railroad-grade specifications, although the decorative dial style may indicate a broader market application or a later fitting to the movement.

Front view of the Hamilton 992 pocket watch, showing the white dial, black Arabic numerals, red five-minute markers, and subsidiary seconds dial. — Lion and Unicorn (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Pocket watch · Railroad-grade pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Hamilton Watch Co.
Reference: 992
Catalogue / lot identifier: 326
Source-reported date: Not established
Source-reported place: United States
Source-reported serial: 871015

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 Dial Construction

The pocket watch is housed in a Wadsworth-manufactured 10K gold-filled case. The exterior features a distinct patterned border along the bezel and back circumference. The case includes a "bar over crown" component, which served as a structural element to provide secure retention for the winding stem.

The white dial is configured with bold black Arabic numerals for the hours and smaller, red-colored numerals at five-minute intervals. A subsidiary dial for seconds is located at the six o'clock position. The auction description notes that while the movement meets railroad-grade standards, the specific style of the dial appears decorative and may suggest it was intended for a general consumer market or represents a later modification.

Evidence for this section

“Housed in a Wadsworth 10K gold filled case marked Pat. 5-22-26”
“The bar over crown design was a Hamilton hallmark for secure winding stem retention.”
“features a white dial with black Arabic numerals, red five-minute markers, and subsidiary seconds.”
“This watch meets railroad-grade specifications of its era, though its more decorative dial style suggests it may have been intended for a broader market or fitted later.”

Movement Specifications

The watch is powered by a Hamilton 992 movement, categorized as a high-grade caliber within the company's production history. The movement is specified as a 21-jewel mechanism and features a double roller escapement. To ensure consistent timekeeping performance, the movement is adjusted to five positions.

The movement serial number is 871015. The watch maintains the primary technical requirements established for American railroad-grade timekeepers of the era, which required high levels of accuracy and structural stability under varied conditions.

Evidence for this section

“it contains a high-grade Hamilton movement, 21 jewels, double roller, adjusted to 5 positions, serial 871015.”
“This watch meets railroad-grade specifications of its era”

Dimensions and Condition

The physical dimensions of the watch include a case diameter of two inches, excluding the bow. Including the bow, the total length is 2.5 inches. The case measures 0.75 inches in thickness. The watch has a total weight of 3.2 ounces, and the bow itself measures 8mm.

The provided condition report for the timepiece is minimal, citing only general age-related wear. No internal inspection or service history was provided by the source, leaving the operational status and the integrity of the internal movement components unverified beyond the external appearance.

Evidence for this section

“Case diameter (excluding the bow): 2" dia.”
“Case thickness: 0.75"W. Case diameter with bow: 2.5"L.”
“The overall weight of the pocket watch is 3.2 ounces.”
“Age related wear.”

Open research questions

Can the production date of the movement serial 871015 be narrowed down within Hamilton's manufacturing records?
Is there evidence to confirm if the decorative dial configuration was a standard factory variation for the 992 movement or a third-party replacement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton Watch Co. 16S 992 Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Hamilton Watch Co.	“Hamilton Watch Co.”
Jewels	21	“21 jewels”
Movement Serial	871015	“serial 871015”
Case Serial	0887135	“serial 0887135”
Case Maker	Wadsworth	“Wadsworth 10K gold filled case”
Patent Date	May 22, 1926	“Pat. 5-22-26”
Case Dimensions	2 inch diameter	“Case diameter (excluding the bow): 2" dia.”

Visible details

White dial with black Arabic numerals and red five-minute markers
Subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock
Decorative case border with patterned edge
Bar over crown assembly for winding stem

Research qualifications

The source suggests the decorative dial may have been fitted later rather than being original to the movement
Condition report only notes general age-related wear without specific mechanical assessment

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

Consulted source

Hamilton Watch Co. Bar Over Crown 992 16S 10K Gold Filled Pocket Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 1318054ca3

Terms in this record

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