Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial, c. 1952
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1952
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.
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
- Pocket watch dial
- Dial marking
- Railway Special
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker / attribution
- Hamilton Watch Co.
- Original application
- 16-Size railroad dials
- Source object caption
- Closeup of Hamilton Watch Company Melamine Dial Showing Cracks, c.1952
Design
- Visible features
- • 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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'.
Identification
- 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: Only a closeup of the upper and central portion of the dial is pictured; outer periphery, reverse side, and dial feet are not shown.
- Research required: Movement pairing, movement serial number, and dial reverse serial are unrecorded by the source.