magine a period before sophisticated digital timekeeping systems, computers, and all the complex technologies taken for granted today. This was the time of the early American railroad, a means of transportation that shaped the American dream into reality. Millions of people and uncountable sums of materiel were transported upon the railway - and timing this system was the job of Hamilton, a firm that began operations in 1892, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The Railroad Pocket Watch embodies the spirit of that early horological ingenuity, a unique combination of American mass-production techniques and advanced micro-engineering. A timepiece made in celebration of Hamilton’s railroad roots, it’s a limited edition of 917 pieces, recalling the firm’s address at 917 Columbia Avenue in Lancaster, PA. Housed in a 50mm stainless steel case, its white, enamel-like dial echoes those of vintage railroad timepieces, with red 5-minute demarcations along a fully graduated, outer minute track; oversized Arabic numeral indices; black lacquered hands; and a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock for precision timekeeping.

A closed caseback features a special engraving of a train and the words “130th Anniversary Railroad Special” in commemoration of the thirteen decades that have passed since the firm’s founding in 1892. Inside beats a hand-wound movement, the ETA 6497, with 50 hours of power reserve, while a removable chain and leather travel pouch complete the vintage-inspired look and feel of the watch. Modern sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating and 5 bar of water resistance, however, make for a thoroughly modern, durable timepiece.

A distillation of 130 years of horological ingenuity, the new Railroad Pocket Watch is a reminder of how far we’ve come — and where we’re headed next!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Hamilton Railroad Pocket Watch

SKU H40819110

Case 50mm stainless steel

Thickness 11.95mm

Lug width None

Dial White dial

Hands Black lacquered hour, minute and small second hands

Movement Mechanical movement Unitas with 50 hour power reserve

Bracelet Removable stainless steel chain (total length (40.6mm)

Glass Sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating

Water resistance 5 bar (50 m)