Calling all Pocket Watch Buffs

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/hamilton/688880

The pocketwatchdatabase info on this watch. Over 10,000 of them made, but how is it that I don’t see them in the wild? I repaired one about 30 years ago. It was a Ball (999?) grade 946. One of 100 that Hamilton produced for Ball. A watchmaker called me for advice in replacing the balance staff. He’d had the watch for a long time, and had not been able to procure a staff for it. Until I got to his shop, I didn’t know it was a Hamilton. The watch was there on the top of his bench, and I recognized it as a Hamilton from three feet away. This movement uses the same balance staff as a 940, 941, 942, 944, etc. etc. I told him I had (940) staffs for it, and I’d have it back to him the next day! And I did! He had NO idea! The watch had come to the owner from his father who acquired it when his father (grandfather) had passed away, likely in the 1950s. The grandfather worked for the Canadian National Railway in Saskatchewan, and he was foreman on a section crew who maintained the right-of-way. The 24-hour dial was a non-standard Ball dial, made especially for the Canadian market. All the “expert” poobahs that saw the watch called it a fake because of this dial. Sold only with 12-hour dials in the U S. Very few of this Ball found its way to Canada, so there was never a long run of 24-hour dials for this model.

Several recent posts discussed non-magnetic pocket watches, and also Hamilton grade 946, 18-size, 23-jewel watches. The grade 946 Hamilton was also produced for the Ball Watch Co. Hamilton produced 100 of the 946 grade for Ball, all in 1911. I worked on one of the Ball 23-jewel, 18-size watches many years ago. I took pictures of the watch at that time. I thought today that I would see if I could find the pictures that I took, back then. No joy!

In the recent discussion of early non-magnetic pocket watches, I mentioned that Waltham had produced 18-size non-magnetic watches. I happened upon a picture of one of these early Walthams, this morning. This image is from the pocketwatchdatabase site.
Here is the text from the data base regarding this model Waltham.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/7013998

I agree that the Hamilton grade 946 is visually a stunner. I don’t have one, sadly. But have shown my recently acquired Waltham CPR movement here, numerous times previously. Among my collection of pocket watches are numerous stunners. But few of them rival my Waltham CPR 1892 model for stunningness (if there is such a word!)

My Waltham 1892 CPR watch is averaging a gain of 5 seconds per day for the last 7 days. Not quite railroad standard, but I haven’t fussed with it since I serviced it.

Before I bought my CPR 1892 model, and while the owner and I were discussing the best way to find a buyer, I checked the internet to try to arrive at a price. I found two for sale. One was listed at about $3,500 (U S). That was like saying “it ain’t for sale, but if you’ll pay my price”, it had been offered for a considerable time. The other one was around $1,500 (U S), and likewise had not found a buyer. I had suggested that he send pictures to auctioneers Jones & Horan to ask if there was a market for these. He thought about it, then he got back to me to say he’d decided not to deal with an auctioneer out of the country (Canada), and to have to contend with shipping, duties, commissions, etc. He told me he wanted the watch to stay in Canada, preferably locally, and there was nobody he’d sooner have it go to than me! I offered him a price and told him to get back to me if my offer wasn’t suitable. He said my offer was fine, so done deal. He had taken the watch to one these “carpet bagger” outfits that cruise the country buying stamps, coins and paper money, old gold, silver, unwanted jewellery, watches, and such like. They wouldn’t make him an offer because (in their words), there was “no market”. A friend of mine and I bought his two watches. The Waltham, and a Hamilton 940 private label with local provenance. My friend bought the Hamilton. So, these watches are out there. I’ve wanted one for a long time, and finally have one.

Perfect, as on day one, 116 years ago? I’d be hard pressed to see much wrong with this fine example! I recently posted a picture of a friend’s 940, with local provenance. Not quite as perfect as your handsome example, but quite a bit older (prior to 1903). I too have a 940, a private label for a watch inspector in Kenora, Ontario. I don’t think you’ll find a better example of a 940 than the one you now have.

This one has been picking up about 5 seconds per day. I moved the regulator this morning and re-set it, and we’ll rate it for a while.

I have an open faced version of your Waltham. Runs okay, but not a great timekeeper. I suppose it could be if I fussed with it. Coin silver case, vitreous enamel dial. Newer than the one posted by @TexOmega, but basically the same.

https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/waltham/856857