Expert: William J Perkins - 6/23/2010

Question
I inherited a Hamilton Railway Special pocket watch.  I unscrewed th back and found out it is a 992B model.  In surching for a serial number I discovered that the back had the word Wadsworth 10k gold filled with a number J395085.  I am assuming that the original back must have become damaged and was replaced with this back. The design of the back looks identical to the design of the front. The face has large black cirley numbers and sixty seconds around the outer face and of course a sepetate second hand dial with the numeral 6 above the 30 second numrreral.  Is there anyway to find out the serial number of this watch.  My grandfather worked for the Atlantic Coastline back in the 30's, I believe.  I would really love to know more about this watch but don't know where to look.

Thanks for any help you may be able to gibve me.

Jim

Answer
Hamilton watches were frequently sold encased in Wadsworth cases.  In all probability the case you have is original to the watch.  The serial number you provided is for the case and not the watch.  The serial number for the watch appears upon the movement backplate, in the area next to the balance cock.  From what you tell me I would guess the serial number to be between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000.  I would suggest you enlist the aid of your public library to find a copy of a book by Roy Ehrhardt titled "Hamilton Pocket Watch Identification %26 Price guide.  In that book you will find everything you would wish to know about your watch.  I have long since donated my horological library to various organizations maintaining horological libraries for educational purposes.  If your library can't help you take a shot at ebay.  Please pursue this subject, I suspect you will find the results satisfactory.  I am sure you will find their is nothing unusual about your watch.  It is definitely a desirable and much sought after railroad grade time piece.  Regards WJP