16s 21J Ball Hamilton 999P Official Railroad grade pocket watch c1928

This is an official American Railroad pocket watch made by the Ball Watch company using a Hamilton movement. The Ball watch company did not manufacture their own movements. The company was set up by Webb C Ball of Cleveland, Ohio who was the general time inspector. After the fatal collision of two trains in 1891, due to a faulty timepiece, Ball was commissioned with drawing up a state wide timepiece inspection system. As all companies up until then used their own guidelines, Ball presented his guidelines and most American companies set out to meet these recommendations. The Ball watch company used the movements by these companies to create a line of watches which bore the official Rail Road official standard.

Movement – the high grade nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator, gold capped lever, gold jewel settings and gold train wheels. The movement is signed “Ball Watch Co, Cleveland, Trade Mark, Official Standard, 21 Jewels, Adjusted 5 positions” B630498. The movement is in 95% mint condition

Case – the movement comes in a 10K gold filled case by Boss, signed “Ball Official RR Standard” and with the patent Ball stirrup bow. The case has carved edges, a smooth plain finish on the back and is in 90% mint condition – light wear only

Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Ball, Official RR Standard” The dial is in 99% mint condition

The watch has a mineral glass

The watch measures 49mm wide x 14mm deep

The watch is stem wound / lever set