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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95 items		Price	Shipping	Total	Time Left
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Buy Now »	Vintage Westclox Pocket Watch Railroad Train Engraved Back Working Free Shipping
	Details » Buy Now for $131.42 »	Buy: $131.42	Ships: Free	$131.42	7 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Canada ZIP B0S1P0 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: beansantiques Feedback: 23,058 / 100% See other items for sale from beansantiques
Buy Now »	1917 Hamilton Watch Railroad Time Book Pocket Watch Advertising Book / Calendar
	Details » Buy Now for $49.50 »	Buy: $49.50	Ships: $4.40	$53.90	4 hrs 32 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Plymouth, NE, USA ZIP 684 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.40 Handling Time: 1 business day Seller: pshada52 Feedback: 8,203 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from pshada52
Buy Now »	Hamilton Watch Railroad Accuracy $48 Print Ad Advertising Pocket 1926!
	Details » Buy Now for $8.00 »	Buy: $8.00	Ships: $4.00	$12.00	5 hrs 55 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Santa Barbara, CA, USA ZIP 931 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.00 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: dustystuffsantabarbara Feedback: 4,741 / 100%** See other items for sale from dustystuffsantabarbara
Buy Now »	1948 Hamilton Watch Railroad Accuracy Married Vintage Print Ad 26296
	Details » Buy Now for $9.97 »	Buy: $9.97	Ships: $4.95	$14.92	1 day 1 hr 45 mins
	Item Condition: Item Location: Stockton, CA, USA ZIP 952** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: vintagepaperheaven Feedback: 20,817 / 99.6% See other items for sale from vintagepaperheaven
Buy Now »	HAMILTON 992 POCKET WATCH Railroad Watch 21 Jewels Does Not Run
	Details » Buy Now for $300.00 »	Buy: $300.00	Ships: $9.00	$309.00	1 day 8 hrs 17 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA ZIP 900 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $9.00 Handling Time: 3 business days Seller: starrgirl555 Feedback: 423 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from starrgirl555
Buy Now »	Vintage Ball Trainmaster 2821 ETA 25 Jewel 34mm Automatic Watch Railroad Dial
	Details » Buy Now for $1,500.00 »	Buy: $1,500.00	Ships: Free	$1,500.00	2 days 3 hrs 29 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: North Hollywood, CA, USA ZIP 916** Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: shaggydog_24 Feedback: 5,324 / 99.2% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from shaggydog_24
Buy Now »	Elgin 1892 Grade 10 18s 11J Pocket Watch RAILROAD ENGRAVING 4550466 (B3A)
	Details » Buy Now for $299.95 »	Buy: $299.95	Ships: Free	$299.95	2 days 10 hrs 22 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA ZIP 080** Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: heirloombrokers Feedback: 8,535 / 99.9% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from heirloombrokers
Buy Now »	Vintage 1936 HAMILTON WATCH Pocket Watch Railroad Christmas Santa 30's Print Ad
	Details » Buy Now for $11.96 »	Buy: $11.96	Ships: $4.95	$16.91	2 days 12 hrs 33 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: 2,008 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from retro.ads
Buy Now »	ANTIQUE BOX HAMILTON WATCH RAILROAD TIMEKEEPERS ORIGINAL BOX FOR MAINSPRINGS
	Details » Buy Now for $9.60 »	Buy: $9.60	Ships: $4.00	$13.60	2 days 20 hrs 36 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Hastings, FL, USA ZIP 321 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.00 Handling Time: 10 business days Seller: midcenturytreasures Feedback: 8,974 / 100%** See other items for sale from midcenturytreasures
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: $6.00	$561.55	2 days 23 hrs 14 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: USA Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $6.00 Handling Time: 4 business days Returns Accepted Seller: partimeart Feedback: 21,590 / 99.6% See other items for sale from partimeart
Buy Now »	Men's LED Pocket Watch Railroad Rare Vintage Solid Bronze Locomotive 5 Styles!!!
	Details » Buy Now for $19.97 »	Buy: $19.97	Ships: Free	$19.97	2 days 23 hrs 26 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: 498 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from pocket-watch-shoppe
Buy Now »	DISNEY MICKEY MOUSE POCKET WATCH RAILROAD WORKER NEW DISNEY TIN RARE LOWER $$
	Details » Buy Now for $89.99 »	Buy: $89.99	Ships: $5.95	$95.94	3 days 1 hr 38 mins
	Item Condition: New Item Location: Kissimmee, FL, USA ZIP 347 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.95 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: auctiontimes Feedback: 16,693 / 100%** See other items for sale from auctiontimes
Buy Now »	1922 Illinois Bun Special 23 Jewel Pocket Watch Railroad Grade
	Details » Buy Now for $1,099.00 »	Buy: $1,099.00	Ships: Based on Zip	$1,099.00 Plus shipping	3 days 3 hrs 59 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Seneca, SC, USA ZIP 296** Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 3 business days Returns Accepted Seller: musc Feedback: 1,238 / 97.2% See other items for sale from musc
Buy Now »	MEN TIMEX QUARTZ WATCH, RAILROAD DIAL,ONE SIZE FIT ALL CUSTOM STRETCH BAND
	Details » Buy Now for $25.00 »	Buy: $25.00	Ships: $5.50	$30.50	3 days 4 hrs 1 min
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Cockeysville, MD, USA ZIP 210** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $5.50 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: freemans_finds Feedback: 2,548 / 98.2% See other items for sale from freemans_finds
Buy Now »	1951 Print Ad, Hamilton Watches, Americas Finest Watch, Railroad Accuracy, PA014
	Details » Buy Now for $8.48 »	Buy: $8.48	Ships: $3.50	$11.98	3 days 4 hrs 34 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: Cavendish, VT, USA ZIP 051 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $3.50 Handling Time: 5 business days Returns Accepted Seller: cbinvermont Feedback: 9,856 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from cbinvermont
Buy Now »	1897 American Waltham Pocket Watch Railroad Train Design Works Sidewinder 7j
	Details » Buy Now for $800.00 »	Buy: $800.00	Ships: Free	$800.00	3 days 22 hrs 18 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Arlington, VT, USA ZIP 052 Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 10 business days Seller: chronocharm Feedback: 397 / 100%** See other items for sale from chronocharm
Buy Now »	1944 Gruen Precision Watch Railroad Train Man Jewelry Vintage Print Ad 35434
	Details » Buy Now for $9.97 »	Buy: $9.97	Ships: $4.95	$14.92	4 days 23 hrs 23 mins
	Item Condition: Item Location: Stockton, CA, USA ZIP 952** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: vintagepaperheaven Feedback: 20,835 / 99.6% See other items for sale from vintagepaperheaven
Buy Now »	1927 16S 23J Hamilton Watch Co Pocket Watch Railroad Grade Salesman Case
	Details » Buy Now for $1,050.00 »	Buy: $1,050.00	Ships: $14.95	$1,064.95	4 days 23 hrs 57 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Quincy, IL, USA ZIP 623 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $14.95 Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 1 business day Seller: illinois12watch Feedback: 2,056 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from illinois12watch
Buy Now »	ADVERTISING MIRROR HAMILTON WATCH 'RAILROAD TIMEKEEPER OF THE WORLD'
	Details » Buy Now for $49.00 »	Buy: $49.00	Ships: Free	$49.00	5 days 6 hrs 52 mins
	Item Condition: Item Location: Beachwood, OH, USA ZIP 441** Shipping Type: Free Handling Time: 2 business days Returns Accepted Seller: rayburnswholesale Feedback: 1,677 / 99.5% See other items for sale from rayburnswholesale
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	5 days 9 hrs 51 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: 22,176 / 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	5 days 10 hrs 43 mins
	Item Condition: Used Item Location: North Royalton, OH, USA ZIP 441 Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $4.99 Handling Time: 1 business day Returns Accepted Seller: gdawg Feedback: 20,822 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from gdawg
Buy Now »	Men's Woman's Pendant Necklace Pocket Watch Railroad Kinkade Style Vintage Art!!
	Details » Buy Now for $24.47 »	Buy: $24.47	Ships: Free	$24.47	6 days 22 hrs 37 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: 498 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from pocket-watch-shoppe
Buy Now »	VINTAGE 55.40MM THE RELIABLE LEVER POCKET WATCH, RAILROAD REGULATOR, RUNS FAST
	Details » Buy Now for $155.00 »	Buy: $155.00	Ships: Free	$155.00	7 days 12 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Port Charlotte, FL, USA ZIP 339** Shipping Type: Free Expedited Shipping - One-Day Shipping Available Returns Accepted Seller: diamondhead4 Feedback: 17,763 / 99.8% Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from diamondhead4
Buy Now »	1924, VINTAGE, 16 SIZE, ELGIN "B.W. RAYMOND" POCKET WATCH, Railroad Grade 478
	Details » Buy Now for $445.00 »	Buy: $445.00	Ships: $12.95	$457.95	7 days 4 hrs 15 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Princeton, WV, USA ZIP 247** Shipping Type: Flat Rate Shipping Cost: $12.95 Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: bronzelook Feedback: 698 / 97.1% See other items for sale from bronzelook
Buy Now »	Antique Mens Pocket Watch Railroad w/ Chain Blue hands Gold Toned Early 1900's
	Details » Buy Now for $325.00 »	Buy: $325.00	Ships: Based on Zip	$325.00 Plus shipping	7 days 4 hrs 27 mins
	Item Condition: Pre-owned Item Location: Adelanto, CA, USA ZIP 923 Shipping Type: Calculated Expedited Shipping Handling Time: 2 business days Seller: dnsflipps Feedback: 38 / 100%** Top-Rated Seller See other items for sale from dnsflipps