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Antique Railroad Watches

Illinois Two Tone Gold Filled Art Deco Opened Faced Pocket Watch from 1922
Illinois Two Tone Gold Filled Art Deco Opened Faced Pocket Watch from 1922

Illinois Two Tone Gold Filled Art Deco Opened Faced Pocket Watch from 1922

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

The case is in exceptional condition and appears to be nearly unworn. Illinois watch company produced some of America's finest most dependable railroad watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Illinois Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Rare Hammered Case and Red Dial
Illinois Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Rare Hammered Case and Red Dial

Illinois Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch with Rare Hammered Case and Red Dial

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

Illinois was one of America's premier watch companies making high grade railroad watches which kept time to within 3 or 4 seconds a day.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Waltham Vanguard #1892 23 jewels RailRoad Antique Open Face Pocket Watch, c1901.
Waltham Vanguard #1892 23 jewels RailRoad Antique Open Face Pocket Watch, c1901.

Waltham Vanguard #1892 23 jewels RailRoad Antique Open Face Pocket Watch, c1901.

Located in MELBOURNE, AU

Fine & Very Rare, this pocket watch by Waltham Vanguard dates back to c1901 Referred as Railroad pocket watch, it boasts a high precision movement & was used by train conductors...

Category

Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

llinois Bunn Special Railroad Approved Circa 1922 Pocket Watch W/ Original Box
llinois Bunn Special Railroad Approved Circa 1922 Pocket Watch W/ Original Box

llinois Bunn Special Railroad Approved Circa 1922 Pocket Watch W/ Original Box

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Dallas, TX

llinois Bunn Special Railroad Approved Circa 1922 Pocket Watch W/ Original Box - Manual winding; Open-faced; 21 jewels.

Category

1920s American Antique Railroad Watches

American Watch Co. A Rare Gold Railroad Pocket Watch C1880
American Watch Co. A Rare Gold Railroad Pocket Watch C1880

American Watch Co. A Rare Gold Railroad Pocket Watch C1880

Located in Mayfair, London, London

American Watch Co. A Rare 18ct Rose Gold Railroad Keyless Lever Open Face Pocket Watch C1880.

Category

1880s American Late Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886
Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886

Rockford Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Pocket Watch from 1886

By Rockford Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

This turned out to be a clever program as most of the railroad engineers bought their watches. Unfortunately the company had financial issues and by 1896 they had to reorganize the h...

Category

1880s Swiss Early Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Antique 1915 Hampden Watch Co Railway 15J 16s 14K Gold Filled Open Face Pocket
Antique 1915 Hampden Watch Co Railway 15J 16s 14K Gold Filled Open Face Pocket

Antique 1915 Hampden Watch Co Railway 15J 16s 14K Gold Filled Open Face Pocket

By Hampden Watch Company

Located in Miami, FL

The Hampden Watch Company was one of the most significant American watch manufacturers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, founded in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1877 before...

Category

1910s Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

15k Gold

Elgin Nickel Art Deco Watch
Elgin Nickel Art Deco Watch

Elgin Nickel Art Deco Watch

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1910s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Hamilton 992 Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate
Hamilton 992 Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate

Hamilton 992 Pocket Watch in White Gold Plate

By Hamilton

Located in Bloomington, MN

The 992 was one of Hamilton’s well-regarded railroad-grade pocket watch movements, valued for its accuracy-focused construction and strong reputation among collectors.

Category

Early 20th Century Retro Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold Plate, White Gold

Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1920's
Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1920's

Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa, 1920's

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch circa 1925
Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch circa 1925

Elgin Gold Filled Art Deco Cushion Shaped Watch circa 1925

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin White Gold Filled Watch with Flawless Original Dial from 1908
Elgin White Gold Filled Watch with Flawless Original Dial from 1908

Elgin White Gold Filled Watch with Flawless Original Dial from 1908

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

Early 1900s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral Engraving, circa 1907
Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral Engraving, circa 1907

Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral Engraving, circa 1907

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin Watch Company also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches.

Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch With Bracelet and Strap circa 1927
Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch With Bracelet and Strap circa 1927

Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch With Bracelet and Strap circa 1927

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, White Gold

Elgin Steel Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Bracelet and Dial from 1923
Elgin Steel Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Bracelet and Dial from 1923

Elgin Steel Art Deco Tank Watch with Original Bracelet and Dial from 1923

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral and Initials Engraving 1900s
Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral and Initials Engraving 1900s

Elgin Gold Filled Pocket Watch with Unique Floral and Initials Engraving 1900s

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin Watch Company also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches.

Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Railroad Watches

Elgin 14Kt Solid White Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial circa 1926
Elgin 14Kt Solid White Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial circa 1926

Elgin 14Kt Solid White Gold Art Deco Watch with Original Dial circa 1926

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

White Gold

Dueber Hampden Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Watch circa, 1919
Dueber Hampden Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Watch circa, 1919

Dueber Hampden Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Tonneau Shaped Watch circa, 1919

Located in Long Beach, CA

We have photographed it with the original strap and a new genuine lizard strap we had made for the watch in Italy. Hampden was an American house based in Canton Ohio and produced h...

Category

1910s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

South Bend Open Faced Pocket Watch Gold Filled with Original Silvered Dial 1900
South Bend Open Faced Pocket Watch Gold Filled with Original Silvered Dial 1900

South Bend Open Faced Pocket Watch Gold Filled with Original Silvered Dial 1900

Located in Long Beach, CA

LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The South Bend Watch Company produced high grade watches for the railroad and were renowned for their high quality, accuracy and dependability.

Category

1910s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Elgin Solid 14Kt. White Gold Pocket Watch with Famous Jewelry Store Enamel Dial
Elgin Solid 14Kt. White Gold Pocket Watch with Famous Jewelry Store Enamel Dial

Elgin Solid 14Kt. White Gold Pocket Watch with Famous Jewelry Store Enamel Dial

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads. They built fine, dependable, sturdy and very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

14k Gold, White Gold

Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching Chain
Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching Chain

Elgin White Gold Filled Art Deco Pocket Watch from 1923 with Matching Chain

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin Watch Company also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin 14Kt. Gold Hunters Case Pocket with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial from 1887
Elgin 14Kt. Gold Hunters Case Pocket with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial from 1887

Elgin 14Kt. Gold Hunters Case Pocket with Kiln Fired Enamel Dial from 1887

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin Watch Company also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches.

Category

1880s American Antique Railroad Watches

Antique 1885 Rockford Watch Co Floral Engraved 18s Railroad Pocket Watch
Antique 1885 Rockford Watch Co Floral Engraved 18s Railroad Pocket Watch

Antique 1885 Rockford Watch Co Floral Engraved 18s Railroad Pocket Watch

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique 19th century pocket watch made by the Rockford Watch Co. of Illinois, featuring a classic white enamel dial with Roman numerals, a lower sub-dial, and gold floral engraved ca...

Category

1880s American Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad
Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad

Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad

Located in Aliso Viejo, CA

Sterling Silver Antique Pocketwatch Reguateur Veritable Echappement Roskopf Oversized Railroad Half Hunter Very cool old estate watch with a round white ceramic face, roman numerals...

Category

Early 19th Century American Civil War Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Fob with Blue Sapphire
14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Fob with Blue Sapphire

14 Karat Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Fob with Blue Sapphire

Located in Little Neck, NY

14k Yellow Gold Pocket Watch Fob with blue sapphire. Vintage watch chain with Railroad Order Fob.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Sapphire, 14k Gold

18 Karat Gold Waltham Railroad Watch
18 Karat Gold Waltham Railroad Watch

18 Karat Gold Waltham Railroad Watch

By American Waltham Watch Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

Railroad watches such as this are renowned for their accuracy, as standardized and precise timekeeping was integral to the smooth operation of the railroad system.

Category

19th Century American Artist Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

18k Gold

Hampden Watch Co. A Highly Engraved Railroad Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890
Hampden Watch Co. A Highly Engraved Railroad Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890

Hampden Watch Co. A Highly Engraved Railroad Full Hunter Pocket Watch C1890

By Hampden Watch Company

Located in Mayfair, London, London

Hampden Watch Co. A Highly Engraved Heavy 14ct Gold Full Hunter Keyless Lever Railroad Pocket Watch C1890 Dial: A beautiful glass enamel dial with Roman numerals set in sky blue cha...

Category

19th Century American Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage 1903 Waltham Pocket Watch, Silver, Model 1883, Case, 17 Jewels
Vintage 1903 Waltham Pocket Watch, Silver, Model 1883, Case, 17 Jewels

Vintage 1903 Waltham Pocket Watch, Silver, Model 1883, Case, 17 Jewels

By Waltham

Located in San Diego, CA

Vintage 1903 Waltham Pocket Watch, Silver, Model 1883, 58mm Case, 20 mm Thick, 46mm Thick Crystal, Brass accent on Winder, Railroad Watch.

Category

Early 1900s Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Silver

c. 1886 Coin Silver Pocket Watch by American Watch Co.
c. 1886 Coin Silver Pocket Watch by American Watch Co.

c. 1886 Coin Silver Pocket Watch by American Watch Co.

By American Waltham Watch Co.

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

With later plated chain. Known as "Railroad Watches", they are large, accurate & easily read by the conductor.

Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Silver

Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch
Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch

Illinois Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Towson, MD

One 1921 yellow gold filled open face Illinois Bunn Special railroad pocket watch serial number 3909834 size 16.

Category

1920s American Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, Yellow Gold

Pocket Watch Bunn Special 21 Jewel Railroad Illinois Watch Co 18 Size
Pocket Watch Bunn Special 21 Jewel Railroad Illinois Watch Co 18 Size

Pocket Watch Bunn Special 21 Jewel Railroad Illinois Watch Co 18 Size

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Dearborn, MI

Pocket Watch Bunn Special 21 Jewel Railroad Illinois Watch Co 18 Size Bunn Special Springfield Illinois 21 Jewels Adjusted Movement Serial Number 1664019 Size 18 Illinois Watc...

Category

1890s Antique Railroad Watches

Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18
Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18

Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18

By Hamilton

Located in Dearborn, MI

Hamilton Watch Co. 940 Railroad Pocket Watch Manual 21 Jewel Size 18 Lever Set Working Dial Has No Hairlines, Cracks, or Chips Needs Hair Spring No Case Had a 52 Gram 14K Gold ...

Category

Early 1900s Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Victorian Elgin Railroad Pocket Watch 1915 Grade 293 Engraved Size 16
Victorian Elgin Railroad Pocket Watch 1915 Grade 293 Engraved Size 16

Victorian Elgin Railroad Pocket Watch 1915 Grade 293 Engraved Size 16

By Elgin

Located in Dearborn, MI

Victorian Elgin Railroad Pocket Watch 1915 Grade 293 Engraved Size 16 Elgin Pocketwatch All Functions Work Movement Serial Number 18161037 Beautiful Dial Has 1 Hairline by the ...

Category

1910s Victorian Antique Railroad Watches

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s
Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s

Hamilton Yellow Gold Filled Open Faced Enamel Dial Railroad Pocket Watch, 1940s

By Hamilton

Located in Long Beach, CA

All engineers and railroad workers were required to purchase and maintain their watches to keep accurate time based on set standards, about 30 seconds per week was the tolerance.

Category

1910s Swiss Modern Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Two Color Gold High Grade Oversized Wrist Pocket Watch with Original Dial
Elgin Two Color Gold High Grade Oversized Wrist Pocket Watch with Original Dial

Elgin Two Color Gold High Grade Oversized Wrist Pocket Watch with Original Dial

By Elgin

Located in Long Beach, CA

The Elgin Watch Company also played a major role in the development of the pocket watches for the railroads They built fine, dependable, sturdy and, very accurate watches.

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch with Up Down Indicator
Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch with Up Down Indicator

Elgin Veritas 23 Jewel Railroad Pocket Watch with Up Down Indicator

By Elgin Clocks

Located in Palm Springs, CA

As a quick note the Highest grade Railroad grade pocket watches were almost always in gold filled cases, as the people who needed them, namely conductors, could not afford solid gold...

Category

1910s American Antique Railroad Watches

1907 Burlington Railroad Pocket Watch
1907 Burlington Railroad Pocket Watch

1907 Burlington Railroad Pocket Watch

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

This is another excellent example of the late 19th early 20th Century ingenuity that made the American Pocket Watch a worldwide standard for beauty and accuracy in timekeeping. 2"D ...

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

14k Gold

Illinois White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa 1920's Hand Engraved Case
Illinois White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa 1920's Hand Engraved Case

Illinois White Gold Filled Art Deco Watch circa 1920's Hand Engraved Case

By Illinois Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

Illinois was renowned for their railroad watches and exceptional quality they were purchased by the Hamilton Watch Company around 1928.

Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled, White Gold

Illinois Nickel Silver Cushion Shaped Watch with Original Dial from 1916
Illinois Nickel Silver Cushion Shaped Watch with Original Dial from 1916

Illinois Nickel Silver Cushion Shaped Watch with Original Dial from 1916

Located in Long Beach, CA

They were renowned for their high quality railroad watches of exceptional accuracy. This piece, an early military style cushioned shaped watch is unique in many ways.

Category

1910s American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Dueber Hampden Military Campaign Style circa 1920s All Original
Dueber Hampden Military Campaign Style circa 1920s All Original

Dueber Hampden Military Campaign Style circa 1920s All Original

Located in Long Beach, CA

It was a substantial watch company making very dependable and high grade railroad watches.

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Rockford Watch Co. Railroad Style Pocket Watch with Skeleton Display Back
Rockford Watch Co. Railroad Style Pocket Watch with Skeleton Display Back

Rockford Watch Co. Railroad Style Pocket Watch with Skeleton Display Back

By Rockford Watch Company

Located in Mount Kisco, NY

Enjoy this circa 1903 Rockford Railroad Style Pocket Watch with fancy engraved brass case.

Category

Early 1900s American Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Brass

Waltham High Grade Railroad Open Faced Gold Filled from 1880 with
Waltham High Grade Railroad Open Faced Gold Filled from 1880 with

Waltham High Grade Railroad Open Faced Gold Filled from 1880 with

By Waltham Watch Company

Located in Long Beach, CA

FACTORY / HOUSE: Waltham Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 16 Size METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1880 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Diameter 49mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual...

Category

1880s Swiss Antique Railroad Watches

Antique 1920s Hamilton Wadsworth 14k Gold Glow in the Dark Pendant Pocket Watch
Antique 1920s Hamilton Wadsworth 14k Gold Glow in the Dark Pendant Pocket Watch

Antique 1920s Hamilton Wadsworth 14k Gold Glow in the Dark Pendant Pocket Watch

By Hamilton

Located in Dayton, OH

Railroad watch standards required the winding stem to rest at the 12 o’clock position to protect the setting.

Category

1920s Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold

Collinwood & Sons Sterling Silver Railroad Pocket Watch
Collinwood & Sons Sterling Silver Railroad Pocket Watch

Collinwood & Sons Sterling Silver Railroad Pocket Watch

Located in Mount Kisco, NY

Outstanding antique sterling silver pocket watch by Collinwood & Sons of Middleboush, England, previously own by an African American railroad conductor, circa 1900 and was an estate ...

Category

Early 1900s British Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Elgin Tricolor Gold Railroad Locomotive Engine Pocket Watch
Elgin Tricolor Gold Railroad Locomotive Engine Pocket Watch

Elgin Tricolor Gold Railroad Locomotive Engine Pocket Watch

By Elgin

Located in South Pasadena, CA

Rare Antique Elgin Gentleman's Pocket Watch With Railroad Locomotive It is so attractive, just look at it.

Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Railroad Watches

Hamilton Railroad Style Brass Pocket Watch, circa 1925
Hamilton Railroad Style Brass Pocket Watch, circa 1925

Hamilton Railroad Style Brass Pocket Watch, circa 1925

By Hamilton

Located in Mount Kisco, NY

Enjoy owning this heirloom circa 1925 Hamilton Railroad Style Pocket Watch. Set in a brass case with gold plating, this fabulous size 16S American made piece is restored with a displ...

Category

1920s American Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Brass

Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique
Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique

Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique

By Hamilton

Located in Dearborn, MI

Railroad Pocket Watch Hamilton 940 21 Jewel Vintage Antique Hamilton Pocketwatch Runs Great Hamilton 940 21 Jewels Adjusted to 5 Positions When You Pull the Lever Set Out Y...

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Railroad Watches

Illinois Gold-Filled Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1927
Illinois Gold-Filled Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1927

Illinois Gold-Filled Bunn Special Railroad Pocket Watch circa 1927

Located in New York, NY

Gold-filled Illinois Bunn Special pocket watch, circa 1927. The 51mm case has a screw bezel and back, by Wadsworth. The white enamel dial features bold Arabic numerals, outer minute ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Gold-filled

Elgin Pocket Watch Silverode Railroad Heavy Working 7 Jewel Year 1921
Elgin Pocket Watch Silverode Railroad Heavy Working 7 Jewel Year 1921

Elgin Pocket Watch Silverode Railroad Heavy Working 7 Jewel Year 1921

By Elgin

Located in San Diego, CA

Elgin 1921 railroad pocket watch with a 59mm case made of silverode and is 20mm thick.

Category

1920s American Modern Antique Railroad Watches

Materials

Silver

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Antique Railroad Watches For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of antique railroad watches available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, Silver and 18k Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our collection, which features older pieces for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century, has proven very popular over the years. Our collection of antique railroad watches includes designs that are universally popular, but Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by American Waltham Watch Co., Ball Watch Company and Elgin are consistently popular. If you’re browsing the variety of antique railroad watches for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for men, but there are still pieces to choose from for women.

How Much are Antique Railroad Watches?

Prices for antique railroad watches start at $250 and top out at $55,950 with these watches, on average, selling for $2,000.

Finding the Right Watches for You

Records show that, in Europe, by the 16th century, it was high time for portable clock devices. Right now, perhaps you’re shopping for your own. If so, find a vast range of fashionable and functional antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs.

While wall-mounted time tellers and grandfather clocks were much more convenient than the sundials of ancient history, watches were becoming crucial for an increasingly connected society whose members learned that the latest advancements in technology meant they could carry devices that kept time to within a minute a day. Tragically, the first pocket watches — albeit an improvement on the accessories that preceded them, which dangled from a chain worn around the neck — didn’t help much as far as accuracy or portability. Focused on style over substance, the upper class frequently carried lavish pieces that ran hours behind. 

Eventually, watches migrated from owners’ pockets to their wrists. In the early days of watchmaking, watches were fragile enough that they necessitated protection from the elements. Now, wristwatches made of gold and steel can withstand the harshest climates — even 100 meters underwater, in the case of Rolex’s Submariner. Designer Gérald Genta, whose range of clients included Rolex, created for Audemars Piguet the first luxury sports timepiece to be made from stainless steel. First introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was a perfect choice for blending the form and function that are now synonymous with sports watches.

Indeed, although exceedingly practical, the watches of today are far from bland. Bulgari’s iconic Serpenti watch was on everyone’s list after the collection’s bold bracelet, which technically debuted after the timepiece, graced the wrist of actress Elizabeth Taylor. If anything, elaborately crafted timepieces — the unmistakably boxy silhouette of Cartier Tank watches, the elegant and minimal Calatrava designed by legendary Swiss house Patek Philippe — are even more effective than the shape we associate with traditional watches. You’ll always know what time it is because you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from your new accessory. 

Form watches — the all-encompassing moniker bestowed upon non-round watches — are making headlines and completing contemporary fashionable ensembles the world over. At the same time, both casual fans and careful collectors are drawn to the unbeatable charm of vintage styles, such as the icons designed by Omega that even James Bond can’t resist. 

When shopping for a watch, it’s good to keep your needs as well as your specific personal style in mind: A smaller, subtle timepiece is a good fit for small wrists. When will you be wearing your new accessory? There’s a versatile model out there for everyday wear, while a rugged, feature-heavy watch is a safe bet if you’re prone to embarking on all-weather activities in the great outdoors. 

Find exactly what you’re looking for in an unparalleled collection of antique, vintage and luxury watches on 1stDibs that includes Cartier watches, Rolex watches, Patek Philippe watches and more — we promise it will be worth your time.

Questions About Antique Railroad Watches

  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify a railroad pocket watch, first determine how you set and wind it. Most pocket watches have winding knobs, but railroad-grade timepieces were all made to be lever-set. To wind and set them, it's necessary to remove the bezel, so if your pocket watch has a winding knob, it's unlikely to be railroad-grade. There were also regulations concerning the numbers. All railroad-grade watches will have large black hour markers in Arabic, not Roman, numerals. Maker's markings may also provide a clue. Some well-known makers of railroad-grade pocket watches include Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham and E. Howard. For an expert opinion on your timepiece, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate it. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of railroad pocket watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Watches that were approved by a railroad organization for use by their conductors were considered railroad approved or railroad graded. Of course, the railroads wanted to run on time and maintain a reputation for efficiency. By demanding that all of their employees use railroad graded watches meeting certain specifications, they could at least ensure the conductors knew the time accurately. Shop a collection of pocket watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To identify antique railroad lanterns, first see if you can locate a maker's mark on the bottom. Using trusted online resources, you can determine who produced your lantern based on these markings, and then you can research the company to find out when it was in business and making lanterns similar to yours. To be considered an antique, a railroad lantern must be at least 100 years old. If you can't find a maker's marking, it's generally necessary to use the characteristics of a lantern to date it. Because this can be difficult without experience and training, you may wish to seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer when identifying unmarked railroad lanterns. Explore a selection of lanterns on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024
    What makes a watch antique is its age. A watch must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique. Watches that are 20 to 99 years old are vintage, while newer ones are contemporary. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    At 100 years of age or more, a watch is generally considered an antique. A vintage watch is a timepiece that is at least 20 years old. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of antique, vintage and modern watches.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An antique fob watch works with the help of a winding mechanism. Turning the winder puts tension on the clockwork gears, allowing them to move. Depending on the watch, you may wind it with a specially designed key or a winding crown located on the stem of the timepiece. You'll find a collection of antique fob watches on 1stDibs.