The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 161

Ball & Co., Cleveland, Ohio, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, "Official BRT Standard", No. 643371, by Hamilton, Grade 999, circa 1908.Fine, gold-filled, keyless Railroad Grade watch.

USD 2,000 - 2,500

C. three-body, "bassine", by Wadsworth, screwed bezel and back engraved with flowers and a bird. D. white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel hollow "American Spade" hands. M. 18 size, nickel full plate, damascened, 17 jewels, the top ones in gold settings, adjusted, straight line lever escapement with sapphire pallets, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan neck micrometric regulator, safety pinon.Signed on the dial and movement. Dial also signed "Standard B R T". Movement engraved "B of R T", "Patented Nov.17.96", Pat. Aug.18'96",Diam. 54.4 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-13-01

Good

Slightly damaged

HANDS Original

Notes

The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT) was founded in June of 1883 in Oneonta, New York. At the time, rail workers earned little more than $1 per day, despite working one of the most dangerous jobs. An estimated 70% of all train crews could expect injury within five years. Realizing that "passing the hat" when a co-worker died was ineffective, rail workers formed an association to provide benefits-at the time, $300-in cases of death.