Fashion: The Story of the Railroad Watch -

The Story of the Railroad Watch

Fashion:

What do you often buy for your family and friend on these holiday or occasion ? An antique pocket railroad watch is one of the best possible gift options anyone can give on an important occasion. This item can be well appreciated by both antique collectors and non-collectors. There are some however who are not quite familiar with an antique pocket railroad watch. There are very good reasons why such an antique item is so expensive but still very much sought-after.

The Story of the Railroad Watch

We all know from historical accounts that the last decade of the 1800s was truly the time when trains were widely used and valued. They not only brought people to different destinations but they also transported commercial goods from one point to another. Being on time was therefore always necessary. What we know now as an antique pocket railroad watch however was not just used to transport everyone on time. They were also needed for safety reasons.

As many of us know, there were hundreds of trains waiting or running on the tracks and they moved according to when they were scheduled to move. Following the right time prevented having two trains on the same track moving towards each other. Sometimes though a defective railroad watch could mislead a conductor and lead to fatal train crashes. In 1891, such a fatal crash happened in Kipton, Ohio because a railroad watch was late for four minutes. It was then decided that a commission should draft standards for railroad watches.

The main reason therefore for the value of an antique pocket railroad watch is its enduring and sturdy quality. An antique pocket railroad watch was made with such great attention to detail that a good piece can still function well even after more than a hundred years.

There are however some people who would like to keep an antique pocket railroad watch not just for its excellent mechanism. A lot of people also keep these watches because they are reminders of the good old romantic railroad days.

What to Look for in an Antique Pocket Railroad Watch
The first general standards for railroad timepieces were already in use in 1893. The standards however were often changed and made better through the years. A number of watchmakers were also able to make railroad watches that were far better than just the compliant pieces. Every antique pocket railroad watch should therefore be assessed for quality and authenticity depending on the year it was made and the company that made it. There are two main points though that you have to consider in an antique pocket railroad watch.

1. An antique pocket railroad watch follows a standard movement size. The watch size is not really referring to its width. The first standard size was 18. Later on, size 16 became the size of choice.

2. Aside from the size, an antique pocket railroad watch should also have 17 ruby toroid jewels or more, can be adjusted to five positions and should be temperature compensated. It should be open faced with Arabic numbers on a white face. It should also have a lever set, double roller, steel escape wheel, regulator and a winding stem positioned at 12.

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