As a new collector I find myself woefully unprepared when trying to value watches, spot deals etc. Mostly I have just been buying what speaks to me, but at times I know I might be overpaying.

Right now I find myself drawn to RR watches, not the pocket watches but the wrist worn ones. I was wondering if anyone knew of a resources for this kind of watch? Does anyone know who the players were? So far I know Bulova and Hamilton. I already started my collection, this one is in the mail.

 

Thanks. I will add Ball to my list. That one looks great, do you know what year it is?

 

i have a Wyler wristie that was actually used on a rail line. it's got the railroad name- which escaped me at the moment and the word 'loaner'.

it seems that when the railmen had to give up their watches for servicing, the line provided them with a watch that had been approved for timekeeping. of course, at that point, there were plenty of watches around that could match rail standards, but it's cool none the less.

i'll try to dig it up and post a pic.

 

I was thinking about buying the Longines "Canadian" (R.R 280) on ebay, but a even rarer (only one known) Hamilton tropicalized G.S D.O.S turned up

Probably the most famous of all rail road wristwatches, here is a good read
http://watchexpertise.com/?p=35

No link to the seller, here's a pic of the one on eBay (easily found)


Regards
Mr.H

 

That was a great read. Thank you

 

Yes a great write up, although there are some known O dial's with RR280 5 position


Watch & pictures courtesy of Michael Dubitzky

Longines Heritage 0 dial RR280, also in auto 40mm



Regards
Mr.H

 

For those interested, the example in that article with the pacific 2-time zone hands has been definitely recased with a (likely)incorrect crown. It's been sold a couple times in the last year.

 

Got this 219 out of Canada as a repair . Now keeps time like a RR should.
The band is so old could be original.

 

I don't think there are many years between the straight & curved lug cases, maybe theyre original?

https://www.vesperco.com/soldwatches/longines-rr280-canadian

Regards
Mr.H

 

It's more of a field watch, I think the only approved Hamilton "wristwatch" was the electric 505, the Hamilton D.O.S I refereed to is a General Service military watch. there are some Hamilton G.S with 24 hr dial unfortunately not my one.

eBay item number:142424990653

Regards
Mr.H

 

Can you show me another Longines railroad watch in this (Conquest)case? The Vesper is the same watch featured in the WatchExpertise article. It was sold first by WatchesToBuy and then featured on Hodinkee as for sale at Vesper

 

I have no problem with the Pacific being in that case, its very similar to late 280's (65/66) which have beefier straighter lugs than the (61/62) Canadian / Jamboree type 280, so hard to say without being able to find any more Pacific's or being able to check serial/case numbers. as they are later than the Canadian why not ..

Managed to find (dial only) the also very rare Quartz Longines Q963.114 RR


And here is my 1945 B.O.A.C 24hr dial that started me off on the Longines RR quest



Regards
Mr.H

 

This is my only RR. 1963 Model 201 Accutron in case#2362. I used to have quite a few but collections 'change' over time. My late Grandfather and late Uncle worked for the Union Pacific RR back in the day so I keep this one in dedication of them.

 

No

 

My grandpa has his Union Pacific Accutron he bought in 1968 when they had a special railroad discount

 

Another rare one pre quartz tuning fork early 1970's

Watch & pic courtesy of sixtysix extrememeantime.com - there was another sold on WUS 2013

Regards
Mr.H
(sorry for adding all the pics, no thanks to PB they're vanishing from the net at an alarming rate)

 

Similar but not the Conquest case the Pacific is in. Nice BOAC you have. Great Collection of RR watches Mr H

 

What were the date of manufacture for these?