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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73 items		Price	Shipping	Total	Time Left
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Buy Now »	1917 Print Ad Hamilton Pocket Watch Railroad Accuracy Train Lancaster,PA
	Details » Buy Now for $14.01 »	Buy: $14.01	Ships: Free	$14.01	16 hrs 7 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Sterling Heights, MI, USA ZIP 483 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: johnseller Feedback: 21,503 / 100%** See other items for sale from johnseller
Buy Now »	1928 PAPER AD Howard Pocket Watch Railroad Chronograph Keystone Extra 14K Gold
	Details » Buy Now for $14.98 »	Buy: $14.98	Ships: $4.99	$19.97	16 hrs 59 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Wooster, OH, USA ZIP 446 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 19,462 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg
Buy Now »	HOWARD POCKET WATCH RAILROAD GRADE 21 Jewels Series 11 Porcelain Dial 16s Runs
	Details » Buy Now for $425.00 »	Buy: $425.00	Ships: $9.00	$434.00	21 hrs 17 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: North Hollywood, CA, USA ZIP 916** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $9.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: starrgirl555 Feedback: 249 / 99.4% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from starrgirl555
Buy Now »	1909 Hamilton Pocket Watch Railroad Grade 940 Motor Barrel 21J Gold Filled
	Details » Buy Now for $449.00 »	Buy: $449.00	Ships: Free	$449.00	1 day 9 hrs 18 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Park Ridge, NJ, USA ZIP 076 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: salci_coins Feedback: 10,376 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from salci_coins
Buy Now »	NEW IN BOX ALLUDE KEEPSAKE POCKET WATCH RAILROAD TRAIN LOCOMOTIVE WITH CHAIN
	Details » Buy Now for $24.79 »	Buy: $24.79	Ships: Free	$24.79	1 day 10 hrs 55 mins
	Item Condition: New with tags Item Location: Villa Rica, GA, USA ZIP 301 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: whammie1971 Feedback: 31 / 100%** See other items for sale from whammie1971
Buy Now »	Illinois Bunn Special 21j 1912 18s pocket watch Railroad grade adjusted 6 pos
	Details » Buy Now for $885.00 »	Buy: $885.00	Ships: Based on Zip	$885.00 Plus shipping	2 days 4 hrs 9 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Nashua, NH, USA ZIP 030 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: catman1219 Feedback: 131 / 100%** See other items for sale from catman1219
Buy Now »	Men's Woman's Pendant Necklace Pocket Watch Railroad Kinkade Style Vintage Art!!
	Details » Buy Now for $34.95 »	Buy: $34.95	Ships: Free	$34.95	2 days 4 hrs 53 mins
	Item Condition: New without tags Item Location: Bozeman, MT, USA ZIP 597 Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping Returns Accepted Seller: pocket-watch-shoppe Feedback: 223 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from pocket-watch-shoppe
Buy Now »	Hamilton Watch Railroad Engineer Employee Charles Monk Erie Railroard Ad
	Details » Buy Now for $14.99 »	Buy: $14.99	Ships: $3.99	$18.98	3 days 13 hrs 29 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Warwick, RI, USA ZIP 028 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.99 Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: paperink Feedback: 8,843 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from paperink
Buy Now »	Vintage Printed Duel-side Ad National Geographic Hamilton Watch Railroad Nov 31
	Details » Buy Now for $1.99 »	Buy: $1.99	Ships: Based on Zip	$1.99 Plus shipping	4 days 7 hrs 17 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Johnstown, PA, USA ZIP 159** Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: photo_by_bill Feedback: 1,124 / 99.3% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from photo_by_bill
Buy Now »	Antique Illinois Watch Case Co Pocket Watch Railroad Grade Hunter Case U.S.A
	Details » Buy Now for $299.00 »	Buy: $299.00	Ships: Based on Zip	$299.00 Plus shipping	4 days 11 hrs 28 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Garwood, NJ, USA ZIP 070 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: garcoininc Feedback: 9,081 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from garcoininc
Buy Now »	Vintage Lucerne Pocket Watch Railroad Train gold tone Quartz
	Details » Buy Now for $25.00 »	Buy: $25.00	Ships: $5.00	$30.00	4 days 18 hrs 13 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: South Deerfield, MA, USA ZIP 013 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.00 Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: downsizing47 Feedback: 544 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from downsizing47
Buy Now »	Elgin Watches 1898 Train Timekeeping AD Elgin National Watch Railroad Graphics
	Details » Buy Now for $15.99 »	Buy: $15.99	Ships: $3.99	$19.98	5 days 8 hrs 37 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Warwick, RI, USA ZIP 028 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.99 Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: paperink Feedback: 8,843 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from paperink
Buy Now »	1929 Hamilton Pocket Watch Railroad Accuracy Lancaster PA "Timekeeper" Print Ad
	Details » Buy Now for $7.96 »	Buy: $7.96	Ships: $5.05	$13.01	5 days 8 hrs 56 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Austin, TX, USA ZIP 787 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.05 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: adman365 Feedback: 1,213 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from adman365
Buy Now »	Vintage Hamilton Watch Railroad USA Mainspring Box Watchmaker No 2721
	Details » Buy Now for $19.99 »	Buy: $19.99	Ships: Based on Zip	$19.99 Plus shipping	5 days 11 hrs 51 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Beaverton, OR, USA ZIP 970 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: aa0636 Feedback: 227 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from aa0636
Buy Now »	Burlington working 1919 Antique 21Jewel Pocket Watch, Railroad,Wadsworth Quality
	Details » Buy Now for $315.00 »	Buy: $315.00	Ships: Free	$315.00	5 days 14 hrs 8 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Carmel by the Sea, CA, USA ZIP 939 Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: 5099barbarak Feedback: 458 / 100%** See other items for sale from 5099barbarak
Buy Now »	1914 HAMILTON WATCH advertisement, Pocket Watch, Railroad accuracy
	Details » Buy Now for $6.01 »	Buy: $6.01	Ships: $2.88	$8.89	6 days 1 hr 36 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Canada ZIP B0J1T0 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $2.88 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: busybeas_books Feedback: 14,888 / 99.8% See other items for sale from busybeas_books
Buy Now »	1924 PAPER AD 4 PG 18 Size Pocket Watch Railroad North Shore Trans Atlantic
	Details » Buy Now for $19.99 »	Buy: $19.99	Ships: $4.99	$24.98	7 days 6 hrs 3 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Wooster, OH, USA ZIP 446 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 19,550 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg
Buy Now »	Watchmakers Arnex Mechanical Hunting Case Pocket Watch Railroad Engine Theme
	Details » Buy Now for $120.00 »	Buy: $120.00	Ships: Free	$120.00	7 days 16 hrs 35 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Americus, GA, USA ZIP 317** Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 4 business days Returns Accepted Seller: we-are-watchfinder Feedback: 9,288 / 99.4% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from we-are-watchfinder
Bid Now » Buy Now »	pocket watch railroad grade
	Details » Bid on This Item (0 bids) » Buy Now for $499.99 »	Bid: $143.00 Buy: $499.99	Ships: Based on Zip	$143.00 Plus shipping	8 days 12 hrs 10 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Camino, CA, USA ZIP 957 Shipping Type: Calculated Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: blizza_6156 Feedback: 7 / 100%** See other items for sale from blizza_6156
Buy Now »	1927 HAMILTON WATCH RAILROAD ACCURACY vintage art print ad
	Details » Buy Now for $9.95 »	Buy: $9.95	Ships: $5.45	$15.40	9 days 8 hrs 6 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: North Adams, MA, USA ZIP 012 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.45 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: crosby-auctions Feedback: 7,636 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from crosby-auctions
Buy Now »	1933 PAPER AD 16 Size Elgin Pocket Watch Railroad Model Heavy Duty
	Details » Buy Now for $15.99 »	Buy: $15.99	Ships: $4.99	$20.98	9 days 14 hrs 54 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Hilton Head Island, SC, USA ZIP 299 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 19,492 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg
Buy Now »	VINTAGE SEARS POCKET WATCH RAILROAD THEMED MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN RUNNNING
	Details » Buy Now for $38.00 »	Buy: $38.00	Ships: $5.00	$43.00	10 days 8 hrs 49 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Advance, NC, USA ZIP 270** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.00 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: ifitshistory Feedback: 6,433 / 99.4% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from ifitshistory
Buy Now »	Vintage 1922 HAMILTON WATCH Pocket Watch Railroad Accuracy 20's Print Ad
	Details » Buy Now for $14.95 »	Buy: $14.95	Ships: $4.95	$19.90	11 days 17 hrs 27 mins
	Item Condition: Item Location: Chattanooga, TN, USA ZIP 374 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: retro.ads Feedback: 1,579 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from retro.ads
Buy Now »	Hamilton Pocket Watch Railroad Grade 992b 14k G.F. Nickel Finish
	Details » Buy Now for $499.00 »	Buy: $499.00	Ships: Based on Zip	$499.00 Plus shipping	12 days 2 hrs 30 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Livonia, MI, USA ZIP 481 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: theben81 Feedback: 20 / 100%** See other items for sale from theben81
Buy Now »	1952 PAPER AD 2 PG Dietz Cold Hot Blast Lantern Night Watch Railroad Bolser
	Details » Buy Now for $14.99 »	Buy: $14.99	Ships: $4.99	$19.98	12 days 5 hrs 37 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Wooster, OH, USA ZIP 446 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 19,501 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg