Railroad Memorabilia & Collectibles

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Railroad Grade Pocket Watches

By the middle of the 19th century, American life and commerce had become increasingly dependent on railroads, and in the years following the Civil War the tracks became congested with train traffic. Trains needed to run on tight timetables so that all could share the available rails, and the need became evident to agree on a standard time. There were no time zones as we know them back then -- it was noon when the sun was high, which depends on your longitude. With rail lines spanning the North American continent, there were hundreds of definitions of "noon" spanning many hours, usually relying on the largest or most accurate clock in the area.

The railroad-grade pocket watch was developed to meet to make sure everyone operating the trains knew what time it was. To ensure that, the standards specified that a railroad grade pocket watch must contain a minimum number of jewels for bearings, pallets, and pins, must be lever set and have a lever type escapement with a safety wheel to ensure it would restart if stopped, must keep accurate time in several different positions and across a range of temperatures, regardless of how tightly the main spring was wound. Trainmen's pocket watches also had to be easily read in poor lighting, so they required a minimum size watch movement with Arabic numbers, a white dial, and contrasting spade hands.

Read more about railroad pocket watches, or browse the listings below to find one for your railroad memorabilia collection.

Subcategories:
Antique Railroad Pocket Watches Modern Pocket Watches	Other Pocket Watches Railroad Watch Parts & Tools

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64 items		Price	Shipping	Total	Time Left
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Buy Now »	BNSF Springfield Div Railroad Selco Geneve Wrist Watch Railroad Approved 2012
	Details » Buy Now for $124.99 »	Buy: $124.99	Ships: Free	$124.99	9 hrs 39 mins
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Fenton, MO, USA ZIP 63026 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: mptcollectors Feedback: 1,261 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from mptcollectors
Buy Now »	Kronotron Pocket Watch Railroad Train Theme Wind Up Silver Tone
	Details » Buy Now for $39.99 »	Buy: $39.99	Ships: Free	$39.99	13 hrs 32 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Jacksonville, FL, USA ZIP 32256 Shipping Type: Local Pick-up Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: trishastreasuresfla Feedback: 130 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from trishastreasuresfla
Buy Now »	DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE POCKET WATCH RAILROAD WORKER NEW DISNEY TIN RARE LOWER $$
	Details » Buy Now for $119.99 »	Buy: $119.99	Ships: $3.50	$123.49	1 day 3 hrs 23 mins
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Coventry, RI, USA ZIP 02816 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.50 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: auctiontimes Feedback: 16,133 / 100% See other items for sale from auctiontimes
Bid Now »	Vintage Bulova Accutron Watch Railroad Approved
	Details » Bid on This Item (13 bids) »	Bid: $36.00	Ships: $7.90	$43.90	1 day 6 hrs 50 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Mansfield, OH, USA ZIP 44905 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $7.90 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: dstreasure Feedback: 997 / 100% See other items for sale from dstreasure
Buy Now »	Ancre Remontoir 15 Rubis Pocket Rubis LARGE Silver Pocket Watch - Railroad Motif
	Details » Buy Now for $1,100.00 »	Buy: $1,100.00	Ships: Free	$1,100.00	2 days 6 hrs 13 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Thousand Oaks, CA, USA ZIP 91362 Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Seller: citycountryboy Feedback: 1,490 / 98.2% See other items for sale from citycountryboy
Buy Now »	Vintage Watch-It Silver Gold Tone Pocket Watch railroad steam engine locomotive
	Details » Buy Now for $6.99 »	Buy: $6.99	Ships: $5.99	$12.98	2 days 9 hrs 37 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Lakeland, FL, USA ZIP 33813 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: hanneken1974 Feedback: 2,188 / 100% See other items for sale from hanneken1974
Buy Now »	ANTIQUE ELGIN POCKET WATCH RAILROAD GRADE MONTGOMERY DIAL **
	Details » Buy Now for $29.95 »	Buy: $29.95	Ships: $5.00	$34.95	3 days 5 hrs 11 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Green Bay, WI, USA ZIP 54303 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.00 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: aa_and_jewelry Feedback: 23,870 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from aa_and_jewelry
Buy Now »	TRAINS Hot Spots Guidebook * Great Places to Watch railroad book PB
	Details » Buy Now for $37.99 »	Buy: $37.99	Ships: $4.00	$41.99	4 days 5 hrs 35 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Huntsville, AL, USA ZIP 35802 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: shanemc Feedback: 2,659 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from shanemc
Buy Now »	Union Pacific Portland Service Unit Gold Silver Men's Watch Railroad Pulsar
	Details » Buy Now for $69.99 »	Buy: $69.99	Ships: Free	$69.99	4 days 12 hrs 39 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Lake Oswego, OR, USA ZIP 97034 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: seekclassics Feedback: 433 / 99.6% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from seekclassics
Buy Now »	1931 PAPER AD 10 PG Waltham Pocket Wrist Watch Railroad Lugless
	Details » Buy Now for $34.99 »	Buy: $34.99	Ships: $4.49	$39.48	4 days 13 hrs 7 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Wooster, OH, USA ZIP 44691 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.49 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 16,819 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg
Buy Now »	Vtg Advance Pocket Watch Railroad Locomotive Design for parts only as is
	Details » Buy Now for $15.00 »	Buy: $15.00	Ships: Free	$15.00	4 days 15 hrs 47 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Tyler, TX, USA ZIP 75702 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: cinammon Feedback: 3,712 / 100% See other items for sale from cinammon
Buy Now »	BRAND NEW Mechanical Pocket Watch Railroad Jesse Kansas City Vintage Chain Wind
	Details » Buy Now for $15.05 »	Buy: $15.05	Ships: $15.05	$30.10	4 days 16 hrs 26 mins
	Item Condition: New without tags Item Location: Canada ZIP B2W1L3 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $15.05 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: atlsoftware Feedback: 2,382 / 99.6% See other items for sale from atlsoftware
Buy Now »	POCKET WATCH RAILROAD CASE ILLINOIS NICKEL SILVER SWING-OUT OPEN FACE SIZE 16s
	Details » Buy Now for $85.00 »	Buy: $85.00	Ships: $6.95	$91.95	5 days 7 hrs 1 min
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Parkersburg, WV, USA ZIP 26101 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $6.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: redbaronantiques Feedback: 4,647 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from redbaronantiques
Buy Now »	DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE POCKET WATCH RAILROAD WORKER DISNEY TIN RARE LOWER $$
	Details » Buy Now for $99.99 »	Buy: $99.99	Ships: $3.25	$103.24	7 days 5 hrs 40 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Coventry, RI, USA ZIP 02816 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.25 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: auctiontimes Feedback: 16,136 / 100% See other items for sale from auctiontimes
Buy Now »	Vintage print ad 1935 Hamilton Watch Railroad Accuracy Six Models Greatest Value
	Details » Buy Now for $9.95 »	Buy: $9.95	Ships: $3.00	$12.95	7 days 21 hrs 55 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Tallahassee, FL, USA ZIP 32303 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.00 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: vannhaddock Feedback: 3,907 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from vannhaddock
Buy Now »	Hamilton Illinois Ball Pocket Watch Railroad Case Thread Repair Tool INFO 4 YOU
	Details » Buy Now for $555.55 »	Buy: $555.55	Ships: $5.40	$560.95	8 days 3 hrs 29 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: USA Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.40 Handling Time: 4 business days Returns Accepted Seller: partimeart Feedback: 17,606 / 99.8% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from partimeart
Buy Now »	1960's Hamilton Pocket Watch Railroad Model 950B / 23j / 16s - Rare
	Details » Buy Now for $1,200.00 »	Buy: $1,200.00	Ships: Free	$1,200.00	8 days 14 hrs 5 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Lynchburg, VA, USA ZIP 24502 Shipping Type: Local Pick-up Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: hillcitytradingpost Feedback: 15,253 / 99.7% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from hillcitytradingpost
Buy Now »	1951 Print Ad, Hamilton Watches, Americas Finest Watch, Railroad Accuracy, PA014
	Details » Buy Now for $9.98 »	Buy: $9.98	Ships: $3.50	$13.48	9 days 8 hrs 49 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Cavendish, VT, USA ZIP 05142 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.50 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: cbinvermont Feedback: 7,527 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from cbinvermont
Buy Now »	Restored 1973 BULOVA Accutron 214 Stainless Steel Men Watch RAILROAD Classic
	Details » Buy Now for $1,138.10 »	Buy: $1,138.10	Ships: Free	$1,138.10	9 days 14 hrs 12 mins
	Item Condition: Seller refurbished Item Location: Spring, TX, USA ZIP 77382 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: rsot4812 Feedback: 1,343 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from rsot4812
Buy Now »	Hamilton Automatic Stainless Steel Men's Watch Railroad H40555131 (Brand New)
	Details » Buy Now for $450.00 »	Buy: $450.00	Ships: $9.99	$459.99	10 days 7 hrs 32 mins
	Item Condition: New with tags Item Location: Anaheim, CA, USA ZIP 92804 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $9.99 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: temper615 Feedback: 206 / 99.5% See other items for sale from temper615
Buy Now »	VINTAGE ELGIN # 976 POCKET WATCH "RAILROAD" NICE LOOK!
	Details » Buy Now for $246.80 »	Buy: $246.80	Ships: Free	$246.80	10 days 11 hrs 57 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Flagstaff, AZ, USA ZIP 86004 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: 12-07-1941 Feedback: 2,005 / 100% See other items for sale from 12-07-1941
Buy Now »	BALL 25J Official Standard Trainmaster Automatic Wrist Watch Railroad times 5Pos
	Details » Buy Now for $445.00 »	Buy: $445.00	Ships: $9.95	$454.95	10 days 16 hrs 23 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Covina, CA, USA ZIP 91724 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $9.95 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: kcdirect888 Feedback: 1,463 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from kcdirect888
Buy Now »	Restored 1965 BULOVA Accutron 214 Stainless Steel Mens Watch RAILROAD APPROVED
	Details » Buy Now for $1,043.10 »	Buy: $1,043.10	Ships: Free	$1,043.10	10 days 19 hrs 43 mins
	Item Condition: Seller refurbished Item Location: Spring, TX, USA ZIP 77382 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: rsot4812 Feedback: 1,343 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from rsot4812
Buy Now »	1922 Hamilton 950 16s 23j Lever Set Pocket Watch - RAILROAD Grade - Runs
	Details » Buy Now for $649.99 »	Buy: $649.99	Ships: Free	$649.99	11 days 6 hrs 31 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Bridgewater, VA, USA ZIP 22812 Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: jastermereel Feedback: 10,512 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from jastermereel
Buy Now »	Full Service - Clean, Oil, and Regulate Pocket Watch - Railroad Grade
	Details » Buy Now for $95.00 »	Buy: $95.00	Ships: Free	$95.00	11 days 9 hrs 8 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Covina, CA, USA ZIP 91724 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 30 business days Seller: kcdirect888 Feedback: 1,464 / 100% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from kcdirect888