The history and modern dealings in the sale of railroad pocket watches
Imagine the ultimate in vintage design, craftsmanship and collectability and you’re probably picturing a railroad watch. For many collectors, these elegant timepieces are a must-have in the collection. The high price, coupled with the limited production has forged the incredible level of prestige.
For many collectors and enthusiasts, owning a part of history is a must. For others, who relate to the glamourous feat of trains, they will feel a real urge to become more acquainted to the beloved railroad system that transformed the modern world from one of local congregations to that of industrial proportions.

Railroad pocket watches for sale
Before the age of the internet, it was hard trading in antiques. You’d have to know the contacts, be knowledgeable on where to travel a find that which you desired and be driven to pay the right price. Auctions or antique stores were usually your only option. Now we live in a world of e-commerce, shopping for what you want allows you to get instant access to that what you desire. Antique dealers and collectors can shop around freely, browsing at pictures and descriptions. Since pocket watches are small (unlike furniture), they don’t carry high shipping costs.
If you want to find genuine railroad pocket watches for sale, then you may want to consider some of the following manufacturers:
- Agassiz
- Ball Watch Co
- Elgin
- Longines
- Ulysse Nardin
Price tags can range anywhere between $1,000 — $5,000 and in other cases of extreme rarity, you can expect the price to go up into tens of thousands! So it’s advisable that you make sure you’re buying from a trusted site (if you’re buying online) and that you make any necessary checks before making your final purchase, to guarantee authenticity.
The real vintage watches, such as those by Agassiz (one of Switzerland’s premier watchmakers) will have the signature.
Some websites have been designed and built especially for selling watches. They will contain images, descriptions and price tags. It is recommended to contact the site
A brief history of railroad watches for collectors
So why is there such a prestige in railroad watches for collectors? Their story began when trains started becoming more and more popular. In the 1800’s there was a great need for accurate time keeping, during the progression of the railroad system in the United States. English watches, such as those from Bond & Son, Boston were ordered for better tracking. During the 1850’s and 1860’s American watches started becoming more popular. The standards, eventually being set by Webb C. Ball, a man who is synonymous with railroad timekeeping.
Understanding the full history of the story of these classic timepieces is essential for a collector. What gives an antique article it’s high value is not just it’s quality, but the story that comes with it. Individuals pay for stories and like a painting by Leonardo Divinci, the narrative that accompanies it will drive up the value.
Another thing that collectors of railroad watches find desirable is to hold them as an investment. Like any great antique, the value goes up over time unlike an investment in stocks, that is much more volatile.
Whether to buy an antique or a new railroad pocket watch
Obviously, new additions have continued to crop up over the last few decades. A new railroad pocket watch can be a great gift or feel good in your pocket, although it will lack the narrative that is attached to an antique version. Remember, that when you’re buying a vintage edition, you’re buying a piece of history. If you’re buying one from an American manufacturer, it will literally have formed part of the transformation that took the USA from a new country, to the industrial super power it was destined to become. And the railway system formed the backbone of this transformation.
That said, the antique will come with a high charge. If you want the watch, but don’t have thousands in the bank, then a brand new one should definitely suffice. In the age of the iPhone, an organic miniature clock that fits snugly in your pocket, crafted with care and precision will make you feel a million bucks.
Resource By : https://www.prlog.org/12727906-the-history-and-modern-dealings-in-the-sale-of-railroad-pocket-watches.html
