Ball Watch Co. 'Official RR Standard' pocket watch by Hamilton, No. B235985
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1902
This gold-filled, keyless Railroad Grade pocket watch was produced circa 1902 by Hamilton for the Ball Watch Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. Encased in a three-body bassine case by Keystone measuring 51.7 mm in diameter, the watch features a white enamel double-sunk dial with bold Arabic numerals, an outer minute ring, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
Located below 12 o'clock is an up/down winding indicator. According to the source, the 16-size nickel movement incorporates 19 jewels, a split three-quarter plate layout, and adjustment to five positions.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Railroad grade pocket watch with up/down indicator
- Diameter
- 51.7 mm
- Case Maker
- Keystone
- Adjustments
- 5 positions
- Jewel Count
- 19 jewels
- Movement Size
- 16 size
- Serial Number
- B235985
- Place recorded
- United States
- Date of Manufacture
- circa 1902
- Maker / attribution
- Ball Watch Co. / Hamilton
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with bold black Arabic numerals and an outer minute track. • Sunk 36-hour up/down winding indicator located below the 12 o'clock position. • Sunk subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. • Blued steel spade hands. • Yellow-gold-toned case featuring a fluted winding crown and an arched stirrup bow. • Dial signed with 'Trade Mark Official RR Standard' emblem and 'Ball Watch Co. Cleveland, O.'.
- Dial and Configuration
- The white enamel dial features a double-sunk layout with bold Arabic numerals and an outer minute ring. Time is indicated via blued steel 'Spade' hands. The dial carries the signature 'Ball Watch Co. Cleveland, O.' along with the emblem 'Trademark Official RR Standard'. Functional dial elements include a sunken 36-hour up/down winding indicator situated below the 12 o'clock position and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
- Movement Specifications
- The movement is a 16-size nickel, 3/4 split plate caliber, described as damascened and adjusted to 5 positions. It contains 19 jewels with the top jewels seated in gold settings. Technical components include a straight-line lever escapement, a cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, a blued steel Breguet balance spring, and a swan neck micrometric regulator. The movement is engraved 'Trademark', 'Pat. Nov. 17.96', and 'Sapphire Pallets'. This component is not visible in the provided photographic record.
- Case and Exterior Construction
- The watch is housed in a 51.7 mm gold-filled case identified as a three-body 'bassine' style manufactured by Keystone. The exterior features a polished finish with a screwed bezel and back. The case back is documented as engine-turned and decorated with an engraved foliage pattern. The classification of the case maker and style originates from the auction catalog description. Observations regarding the specific physical condition of the exterior are not visible in the provided photographic evidence.
Identification
- Serial number
- B235985
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The movement and decorated case back are not visible in the supplied photograph.
- Research required: Movement specifications, jewel count, and condition grading rely entirely on auction catalog description.