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HAMPDEN 16 SIZE 21 JEWEL “WILLIAM McKINLEY” RAILROAD POCKET WATCH SN:3315282
The American Railroad Pocket Watch The Railroad had a tremendous impact on American lives in the nineteenth century. Much of the progress during that era was largely attributed to the trains which carried food, goods and people to one city or another. The railroad system also carried the United States mail and enabled candidates to bring their platform to people in every state. “Truly the train station held memories for most everyone and had a link with every family” (Cooksey Shugart). On April 19 1891 an event occurred that exposed the need for railroad personnel to acquire more reliable timepieces. That April morning the fast mail train, known as the No.4, was going east. On the same track an accommodation train was going west from Elyria, Ohio. The Engineer thought his train was leaving on time but did not know that his watch had stopped for four minutes and then started again. The conductor apparently did not check his watch. The two trains met their destiny at Kipton near Cleveland Ohio. The fast mail train was full speed ahead and collided with the accommodation train which was under full brakes. At least eleven people were killed including both engineers. The United States Post Office as well as both railroad companies suffered great losses in property. It was because of this disaster that a commission was appointed to develop standards for railroad timepieces that would be adopted by every railroad. The industry needed precision timepieces. From that disaster was born a watch that was more accurate than many scientific instruments in the laboratory. It was unrivaled in quality and reliability any where in the world.
This is the Hampden "William McKinley pocket watch. It is a 16 size 21 jewel movement set on a 3/4 straight line damaskeened nickel plate. This double roller is adjusted to temperature, Isochronism and five (5) positions. The 21 jewels are in sold gold screw down gold jewel settings. It is housed in a 10 karat gold filled, Star Watch Company screw back and bezel pocket watch case. The back cover is engraved with a locomotive barreling down the track. The covers screw on and of easily and securely. There is a bit of brass on the pendant. The porcelain enamel dial is marked with big ,black Arabic twelve hour chapters and bright red five minute numbers. It has a sub dial marked with black Arabic ten second numbers and a second hand. There is no crazing apparent. This is a really nice railroad watch that winds, sets easily and keeps accurate. There is no reserve on this item so don’t snooze.
IF YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE!
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