Hamilton 16S 23J lever set (LS) adj. 5p grade 950E (Elinvar) pocket watch #2618178, impressive nickel bridge movement with screw-down gold jewel settings (GJS), a gold train & center wheel and a bar style damascene pattern, unfortunately the jewel & jewel setting on the balance bridge has been replaced with a standard brass & bold red set, this is cosmetic and is not affecting the running condition, double sunk (DS) porcelain enamel Canadian style dial with bold Arabic numbers 1-12, an inner ring of smaller Arabic numbers 13-24, black minute markers along the outer edge and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register, dial has some faint hairlines, bold blue steel spade & whip style hands
Re-cased into a handsome yellow gold filled (YGF) Hamilton model "A" screw back & bezel (SB&B) case with multi-stepped bezels accented with small raised balls, heavy stepped shoulders directly supporting the recessed crown, and a fancy semi-stirrup bow, case is showing normal light wear with very light scuffs & scratches consistent with use and a small spot of brass on the interior of the bow, unfortunately both front & back bezels have been cross-threaded; we have smoothed out the threads on the back and it sits flush as expected with the frame but will need to be started with care to avoid hanging up, the front bezel is easier to seat however the lower threads are still a bit out of alignment and the front bezel will not sit completely flush with the frame, measures approx. 51mm in diameter x 64mm in length x 15mm thick (crystal included).
One of Hamilton's highest grade of watch from the 1930s, a triple signed beautiful example of American watchmaking at its peak even with the cosmetic flaws, perfect to carry everyday or as a project watch for a patient horologist, in very good overall condition!
- Year Made: 1938-1939
- Company:
Hamilton
-
Movement Size:
0516S
- Jewels: 0523J
- Setting/Movement Type:
lever set
- Adjustments: 5 positions
- Model/Grade: 950E
- Serial #: 2618178
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Movement Details: bridge layout, gold jewel settings (GJS), screw-down jewel settings, gold train, gold center wheel
- Dial Material: porcelain enamel
- Dial Details:
double sunk (DS), Canadian style
- Hand Style:
spade & whip
- Case Style:
SB&B
-
Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
- Case Details:
re-cased, factory case, model "A", fancy bow
-
Case Width/Diameter:
51mm (2.01 inches)
-
Case Length, bow included:
64mm (2.52 inches)
-
Case Thickness:
15mm (0.59 inches)
- Crystal Material: plastic
- Condition:
Very Good
-
Gender:
Gentlemen's
The Hamilton watch company began business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1892 and still operates today. The last watches produced in the American factory were made in 1969, after which the company was sold to a Swiss owner.
We also offer a collection of reference and research books for a number of different watch manufacturers, which can be found in our
Watch-Related Books section. As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Hamilton serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
You may browse all of our men's pocket watches from this manufacturer at our
Vintage Men's Hamilton Pocket Watches category.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of October 3rd, 2025, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This is considered a "railroad-grade" pocket watch. To be a railroad-grade watch, the following criteria must be met:
- be 16S or 18S
- have 17 or more jewels
- be lever set
- be in an open face case
- be adjusted to 5 or more positions.
- have easily-legible Arabic dial numerals
In order to ensure the accuracy of pocket watches used by railroad employees, with the ultimate goal of preventing train accidents, the General Railroad Timepiece Standards Commission published a set of guidelines for railroad companies and watch manufacturers in 1893. These guidelines, which specified the criteria for a railroad-grade watch, were prepared by Webb C. Ball, the general time inspector of North American railroads and founder of the Ball Watch Company.
For more information, visit this
Wikipedia article on railroad chronometers or this
Smithsonian National Postal Museum article on the influential train wreck tragedy that resulted in the establishment of railroad watch standards.
Our entire collection of such timepieces may also be viewed at our
Railroad Grade Watches category.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
