Pristine Ball Waltham Railroad Standard Model 1899 Housed in 14K Green-Gold Fill Case (1915)

Among the most coveted railroad-grade pocket watches ever produced in America, the Ball Waltham Official Standard represents the rigorous partnership between Webb C. Ball and the Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. This particular example was manufactured in 1915, a year when the 16-size pocket watch had finally surpassed the larger 18-size in total production, signaling the modernization of American railroad timekeeping.

Visually, this watch is an absolute standout. The exceptional movement proudly bears the iconic RR seal beautifully engraved directly onto the plates, and it has been recased in a stunning green-gold 14K gold-filled case. The pristine dial is complemented by a striking set of skeleton hands.  

Mechanically, it is adjusted to five positions, temperature, and isochronism, the trifecta of accuracy demanded for service on America's rail lines. This is a true railroad-grade timepiece, openface in configuration as required by the General Railroad Timepiece Standards adopted in the 1890s.  

Webb C. Ball did not manufacture a single watch himself. He commissioned movements from the finest American makers, including Waltham, Hamilton, Elgin, Hampden, and E. Howard, and held each one to specifications so exacting they shaped the global definition of a precision pocket watch. Watches built to his Official Standard were inspected, regulated, and serviced by Ball's network of authorized jewelers across more than 125,000 miles of American railroad. To carry one was to carry a tool the railroad depended on.  

For the collector pursuing the heart of American horological history, a Ball Waltham of this configuration (openface, 19 jewels, five-position adjusted, and manufactured at the peak of the railroad era) is exactly the watch to chase. It wears well daily and displays magnificently.  

All vintage pocket watches are cleaned, oiled, and adjusted for accuracy and warranted for one full year from the date of purchase.