18s 17J Private label rail road pocket watch by Hamilton c1900

This pocket watch is a model 942 which was an American rail road approved pocket watch.

The watch is signed “F E Pirtle & Co, H C I P”

Frank E. Pirtle was a railroad watch inspector for the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway for 2 years in the 1890s and became a railroad watch inspector for the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1900. The "H.C.I.P." marking of this example refers to its movement's adjustment to Heat, Cold, Isochronism and Positions and this marking is found among a small portion of Hamilton's high grade early private labels of this era.

Movement – the nickel full plate movement has a lever escapement and is decorated with damascening. The movement has a micrometer regulator, gold jewel settings and is signed “F E Pirtle & Co, H.C.I.P, Council Grove, Kan, 21 Jewels, Adjusted” # 124907.

The movement is in 90% mint condition – light marks only

Case – the movement comes in a nickel open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel. The back of the case is decorated with a superbly engraved scene of an American style steam locomotive. The rest of the case has a smooth plain finish and is in 90% mint condition – there are very small marks and light scratches. 

Dial – the white enamel dial is double sunk and has a full set of blue steel hands. The dial is signed “F E Pirtle” and is in 95% mint condition – almost invisible hairlines on the 2 and 11

The watch is stem wound / lever set

The watch has a bevelled mineral glass

The watch measures 53mm wide x 17mm deep.