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 Railroad Watch History

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.

There were literally hundreds of trains to manage almost everyday. It was important that they all kept the right time. Otherwise, trains could collide when tracks switched as scheduled. In 1891, such a collision happened in Kipton, Ohio just because a conductor's watch was late by four minutes. To prevent further incidents from happening, the government gave the order to come up with standards for railroad pocket watches.

An antique pocket railroad watch is thus quite valuable since it was made with tremendous attention to durability, quality and precision. A standard antique pocket railroad watch was crafted so well that even after a century, it could still tell the exact time.

Some people though really collect antique pocket railroad watch pieces for sentimental reasons. An antique watch is a fitting reminder of the good old railroad days.

Standards for an Antique Pocket Railroad Watch

In 1893, there was a general standard that was set up for railroad watches. Of course, as time passed, the standards were modified and became even more exact. There were also numerous manufacturers who could produce watches that were not just standard compliant but superior as well. Your antique pocket railroad watch features will therefore depend on its year of origin and manufacturer. Here are some general things that you might want to consider when evaluating an antique railroad watch.

1. The first main point is the size. Sizes are not measured according to the width or circumference of a piece but according to movement. The early standard size was 18. The following century however came up with the size 16 that quickly became a preferred option.

2. The second main point to consider in an antique pocket railroad watch is the components and characteristics. Your pocket watch should be temperature compensated and should be adjustable in five positions. It should have 17 or more ruby toroid jewels, a winding stem positioned at 12, a double roller, a lever set, a regulator and a steel escape wheel. It should also have Arabic numbers on an open white face.