If a person is looking for a railroad watch this is it. Webb C Ball, Chief Time Inspector 1891 set the official standard for railroad time pieces after a horrific crash was found to be due to a faulty railroad watch. Named after the Empire State Express Locomotive No. 999 for its land speed record the Ball watches were manufactured in partnership with the Hamilton watch company but to Ball specifications. Ball became the Vice President of Hamilton in the early 1900s. Ball had manufacturing facilities in both the USA and Canada (Balco Winnipeg Manitoba).
Offered for sale is a Ball Railroad Official Standard Cleveland Pocket Watch made in1935. It is a Model 1, Grade 999P, 16 size, lever set, adjusted, 21 jewels, serial #B642593 in a in B&B gold filled case stamped Royal 20 yr serial #6595425. The open face case works well, has micro scratches typical with an antique and a few dings as pictured. The acrylic crystal is in decent condition and may have been replaced at some point. The porcelain single sunk dial has both the Canadian 24 hour/ Imperial 1 to 12 hour characters and is a Ball signature as does the movement have a Ball signature. I see a faint hairline at 11/12 and some edge chips plus a scuff at the 7. The movement is not original to the Bates and Bacon (B&B) case but the case is showing in circulation in 1928 so predates the movement but not by a lot (Oskamp, Nolting & Co. Catalog (1928)).
I bought this at an auction as a non functional watch. I disassembled it, cleaned it in (L&R Ultrasound) oiled it (4 grades Moebius) and replaced a lower balance cap jewel, a balance staff (custom fit to this movement), and adjusted the balance assembly. Once it was cleaned, lubricated and adjusted the movement wound and ticked a day. It still has room for adjusting but I took a decent Ball destined as a parts watch and gave it a second chance.
I do not know what history it has nor what was done to it before only what I did with it which is repair it to operational status. Its a 91 year old watch that has been through several owners. I have repaired the poor workmanship following trade best practices and as a result it runs but I can't warranty an antique. As for history no idea other than I bought it for $550, serviced it (I get paid $150 to $250 to service watches), replaced a cap jewel $50, installed a NOS correct balance staff (being a Ball it has to be fitted to the movement) so $60 to order and $30 to fit it. If all those numbers seem high keep in mind its in Canada and parts are double what they are in the US to get here.
Value of course is yours to determine but for interest sake for a Hamilton Ball 999 according to Pocketwatchdatabase (in CAD$) it lists mid wholesale at $670, high wholesale $844 and retails at $1000. Open online queries suggest $800 to $3000 (in the box never touched by human hands). I can hear the laughing already but I do not expect anyone to see over $700 for this despite what I have in it. Thats my gift to the watch so it has a chance to see 100 as its craftsmanship and history more than deserves that chance.
Please ensure you view all the images as that is part of the description and "as is where is' given its past. If you have questions please ask. I am open to offers. Shipping cost is provided in the ad and is Canada Post within Canada which includes the eBay International Hub. International buyers just need to select their country and eBay arranges the shipping and Customs costs from there I have no control over those costs.