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Pocket watch :: the timepiece known as the Railroad Watch

In my humble opinion, there is nothing more gentlemanly than a pocket watch. They have a charm and elegance about them that no mere wristwatch can ever possess. My grandfather owned one, and I can still remember how he pulled his beautiful timepiece out of his pocket every so often, peering down and squinting to see the time. His was an official railroad watch, gold with a train emblem, and, for me, it was the embodiment of all that was my grandfather: reserved and unassuming, yet with a masculine elegance. Today, few men carry pocket watches, and I think that is a shame. They may be less convenient and boast fewer features than a wristwatch, but their charm more than makes up for their lack of technology. These old railroad watches are popular collectors' items today. But just what makes a railroad watch different from any other watch?

Railroad watches are those pocket watches that adhered to the standards set by the railroad industry in the 1800's. To be considered "railroad grade", the watch had to be of extremely high quality, and offer certain functions. There were certain inspectors approved by the railroads to certify watches as railroad grade. Most true railroad pocket watches were made by one of about thirteen watchmakers, including Waltham, Elgin, Longines and Seth Thomas. One good reference book on railroad watch standards is a book by George Townsends, called "American Railroad Watches".

Why the Special Railroad Standards?

Railroad watch standards were created to ensure the accuracy of train schedules, and to ensure safety on the railroad tracks. Keeping the watches of all engineers synchronized was critical to avoiding train collisions. Few tracks were available in these early days, requiring close coordination to keep two trains from being in the same spot at the same time. Because of the accuracy, these watches gained popularity with the general public.

These old railroad watches or other pocket watches are mostly popular with collectors now, and can be quite valuable. But whatever their monetary value, they still make a statement of unsurpassed elegance.

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