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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component · Pocket watch dial

Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial, c. 1952

Partially verified

This component is an individual Hamilton Watch Company melamine railroad pocket watch dial, dated by the source to circa 1952. Developed as an alternative to vitreous enamel for the company's 16-size railroad timepieces, the dial features bold black block Arabic numerals and a sunken center section marked 'HAMILTON' above 'RAILWAY SPECIAL'. As documented by the source, the melamine material on this surviving example displays pronounced network cracking across its white surface. The dial features a central arbor hole and the top section of a subsidiary seconds register.

Closeup view of the Hamilton Railway Special melamine dial displaying fine surface cracking
Closeup view of the Hamilton Railway Special melamine dial displaying fine surface cracking — Nathan Moore / Pocket Watch Database. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com
Category
Component · Pocket watch dial
Maker / attribution
Hamilton Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1952
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

Object Identity and Reported Context

This object is an individual melamine railroad pocket watch dial manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Company. It is dated by the source caption to circa 1952 and described in historical company documentation as developed to provide an alternative to vitreous enamel on 16-size railroad dials.

The pictured dial bears the model designation 'Railway Special', and the article notes an initial sales order discussed in October 1949 calling for 2,000 melamine dials under drawing #50-121.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pictured: Closeup of Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial Showing Cracks, c.1952.”
  • “provide an alternative to the vitreous enamel on the company’s 16-Size railroad dials.”
  • “Railway Special”
  • “It was stated that there would be an order placed from the Sales Dept. calling for 2000 dials to be made according to the new drawing #50-121”

Visual Observations and Surface Condition

The white face exhibits an extensive network of fine crazing and cracking spanning both the sunken center and the primary chapter ring. Bold black block-style Arabic numerals are visible around the upper register (numbers 10, 11, 12, 1, and 2 are visible in the image), bordered by an outer track of minute dashes and square five-minute marks.

A central hole for hand arbors perforates the middle of the dial, while the uppermost portion of a sunken subsidiary seconds register is visible at the lower edge of the frame. In the sunken center section, 'HAMILTON' is marked in an arched font above straight sans-serif lettering 'RAILWAY SPECIAL'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White surface exhibits fine network crazing and cracking across the sunken center and main ring.”
  • “Bold black block-style Arabic numerals (10, 11, 12, 1, 2 visible) with an outer minute track of dashes and square five-minute marks.”
  • “Central hole for hand arbors, with the upper portion of a sunken subsidiary seconds register visible at the lower edge.”
  • “Sunken center marked 'HAMILTON' in an arched font over straight sans-serif 'RAILWAY SPECIAL'.”

Documentation and Physical Limitations

The source document illustrates this component strictly through a closeup photograph focusing on its upper and central surface. Consequently, the dial's outer perimeter, lower numerals, dial feet, and rear side are not depicted.

Associated movement pairings, movement serial numbers, and dial reverse serial or batch markings are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pictured: Closeup of Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial Showing Cracks, c.1952.”

Open research questions

  • Does the reverse side of this individual dial bear any factory stamping, batch codes, or dates confirming the circa 1952 attribution?
  • Was this dial preserved as an unmounted spare or removed from a specific Hamilton 16-size movement?
  • What specific base metal (such as the brass discussed in the 1949 meeting memo) forms the plate beneath this dial's melamine coating?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial, c. 1952
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Source object captionCloseup of Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial Showing Cracks, c.1952“Pictured: Closeup of Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial Showing Cracks, c.1952.”
Original application16-Size railroad dials“provide an alternative to the vitreous enamel on the company’s 16-Size railroad dials.”
Dial markingRailway Special“Railway Special”
Internal drawing referenceDrawing #50-121“Mr. S. Griffiths of Watch Design stated that the new drawing, #50-121, for the melamine dial would be completed by next Tuesday.”

Visible details

  • White surface exhibits fine network crazing and cracking across the sunken center and main ring.
  • Bold black block-style Arabic numerals (10, 11, 12, 1, 2 visible) with an outer minute track of dashes and square five-minute marks.
  • Sunken center marked 'HAMILTON' in an arched font over straight sans-serif 'RAILWAY SPECIAL'.
  • Central hole for hand arbors, with the upper portion of a sunken subsidiary seconds register visible at the lower edge.

Research qualifications

  • Only a closeup of the upper and central portion of the dial is pictured; outer periphery, reverse side, and dial feet are not shown.
  • Movement pairing, movement serial number, and dial reverse serial are unrecorded by the source.

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

Consulted source

The Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial: Hamilton Research and Adoption Timeline: Part 3 - Pocket Watch Database Blog

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e5a18a129a

Terms in this record

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

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