Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch: The Charm of the Pocket Watch

The watches and trains representing quintessential precision are Swiss. Have you ever said something like “punctual like an American watch” or “punctual like an American train?” No? Too bad: you should have. Because Hamilton’s novelty for the end of 2022, the Railroad Pocket Watch, embodies exactly the soul of those words.

HAMILTON AND THE RAILROADS

Hamilton has long belonged to the Swiss Swatch Group, but has deep roots in the United States. Founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1892, the brand quickly became vital to the American railroad industry. In the late 19th and for part of the 20th century, Hamilton pocket watches were important tools in keeping trains coordinated and traveling safely. They often ran on single tracks in both directions, so delaying or moving one up even a few minutes could have been catastrophic.

Railroad-approved pocket watches became the most accurate mass-produced timepieces in the world, with Hamilton leading the way. Strict performance standards ensured that train drivers and engineers were properly timed, and American railroad watches made travel safer. Thus, the transfer of people and goods over long distances became efficient and relatively inexpensive, transforming the country.

Hamilton played a key role in this transformation process of the United States through railways management. Today, 130 years after its foundation, the brand brings this important part of history back to life by presenting the Railroad Pocket Watch: a tribute to tradition.

RAILROAD POCKET WATCH, A TRIBUTE TO THE PAST

Some might think that a pocket watch in the 21st century is anachronistic. This is not true. Other brands have presented this kind of watches in recent years (in the Swatch Group: Tissot and Omega for instance) and, if we consider how many people rely on their smartphone or their smartwatch to know the time, then even a wristwatch would be out of time today. This is not true. Do you think the wristwatch is dead?

Hamilton’s Railroad Pocket Watch is a tribute to the past, through aesthetics but thanks also to a modern touch brought by new materials. The dimensions of the steel case, 50 mm in diameter and 11.95 thick, support the legibility of the dial, whose largeness benefits quick glances at the time and precision timekeeping. The crown is at 12 o’clock, of course, to wind and adjust the watch. There are indeed no traditional lugs on a pocket watch, so a steel chain is attached to a link under the crown.

Wristwatches are obviously mainstream, but there is a certain appeal to using a pocket watch. In the past, waistcoats would commonly house these timepieces, the chain keeping them attached to their owners. Today fashions have changed and Hamilton has considered this: a small leather travel pouch, which can be attached to the belt by a loop, completes the look and vintage inspiration of the watch.

The case back is closed, and engraved with the silhouette of a steam locomotive and the words “130th Anniversary Railroad Special,” to celebrate Hamilton’s 130th anniversary. The progressive number of the limited edition is also featured, because the Railroad Pocket Watch is produced in only 917 pieces. A number that recalls the brand’s address: 917 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A BRIGHT DIAL

Pocket railroad watches had simple dials that allowed to read the time at a glance. There was no need for fancy decorations: accuracy was key. Hamilton’s Railroad Pocket Watch, protected by a sapphire crystal, is no exception.

The white finish resembles that of enamel, and it has oversized and highly visible black Arabic numerals, black lacquered hour and minute hands. A large small-seconds dial is located at 6 o’clock, with Arabic numerals every ten minutes and a well-designed minute track. The outer minute track, on the other hand, has the full set of Arabic numerals from 1 to 60 and red numerals every five minutes, a detail common to railroad watches.

THE RAILROAD POCKET WATCH’S CALIBER

Hamilton has made an interesting and intelligent choice for the movement, following the retro inspiration of the watch. It is a hand-wound ETA 6497 caliber, based on the Unitas 6497 born in the mid-1960s specifically for pocket watches, but also encased in wrist models. It’s not as old as the calibers that powered the first railroad watches, but it has some solid vintage roots.

It beats at a relatively low speed of 18,800 vibrations/hour (2.5Hz) with a 50-hour power reserve. Functions include, as we have seen, central hours and minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock. It is usually the ETA 6498 that has the small seconds in that position, but as the crown is turned from 3 to 12, they are moved from 9 to 6.

The case back is closed, so it is not possible to look at the beating movement. Hamilton, however, explained to us that this choice came from the need to make the commemorative engraving on the case back; in order not to increase the thickness of the Railroad Pocket Watch, they didn’t use a hinged case back opening onto a sapphire crystal case back. This solution could also have affected the waterproofness of the watch, rated at 5 atmospheres.

Finally, the price. 1,495 euros for such a special watch, and moreover in a limited edition, make it interesting for those who appreciate fine watchmaking and love to make choices out of the mainstream. Sure, pocket watches require a special passion, but who knows if for at least 917 people Hamilton’s Railroad Pocket Watch might not be the spark that ignites this love?

By Davide Passoni