Hamilton 940 from 1907 Railroad Chronometer

Hamilton Watch Co. was in operation from 1892-1969 and manufactured some of the highest end, most accurate watches ever produced. Manufacturing of Hamilton watches took place at their facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

This Hamilton timepiece was crafted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1907. It is powered by the Grade 940, an in-house Hamilton caliber with 21 jewels, produced between 1898 and 1924. The 940 was one of Hamilton’s flagship 18-size movements and among the company’s top-tier railroad-grade offerings of the era. The movement features ruby jewels and elegant gilt enamel lettering. The movement has been fully restored and custom refinished with blue accents, achieved by carefully heating each component by hand over an alcohol lamp (read more here). The hands have not been restored and remain in the original condition applied by Hamilton at the time of manufacture. The porcelain-enamel railroad dial is in excellent condition, with bold Arabic numerals, exceptional legibility, and an elegant cursive Hamilton signature at its center.

The timepiece is housed in an original Hamilton-branded salesman case, with the Hamilton signature appearing on both the front and back bezels just below the crown. These cases were designed for watch salesmen to showcase both the dial and movement without removing the movement from the case and exposing it to dust, debris, or accidental damage. The result is an incredible example of early Hamilton watchmaking, pairing one of the company’s premier railroad movements with a custom case designed specifically to put its craftsmanship on display.

Watch Performance

• Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day

• Amplitude: 300 degrees

• Beat Error: 1.5 ms

• Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)

• Power Reserve: 24-30 hours

• Complication: Subsecond dial

Watch Specifications

• Manufacture: Hamilton

• Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

• Railroad chronometer: Yes

• Year Manufactured: 1907

• Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel (excellent)

• Jewels: 21 jewels

• Front Crystal: Domed mineral crystal

• Back Crystal: Domed minieral crystal

• Original Case Included: Yes, Hamilton salesman case

• Serial Number: 567079

• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty

All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.