BALL HAMILTON SUPERIOR GRADE 17J 18S GRADE 936 VERY RARE RAILROAD POCKET WATCH

Ball's Standard Superior Grade

Ball Watch Co. "Ball's Standard Superior Grade" 17 jewel 18 size open face lever-set Grade 936 pocket watch made. An extremely rare watch that represents Hamilton's first product made for Ball, a review of the Hamilton factory ledger reveals a likely total production of only approximately 80 made for this type. Watch is fronted by its correct sunk-seconds enamel dial with script "Webb C. Ball. Cleveland, O." marked dial, and with a set of distinctive pierced hour and minute hands that were used among a portion of early Ball Hamilton production. Watch is housed in a 20 year gold-filled Illinois Watch Case Co. swingout case with initials engraved to its rear. Movement serial number is 8610 which is listed in the Hamilton ledger as having been sold to Webb C. Ball on January 14th, 1895.

Running and movement has good color and luster, scattered fine scratches and small nicks, and one mismatched screw on its balance jewel setting with a flat head. Dial has edge chipping between the 5 minute and 8 minute position which takes out most of the 5 minute markers and dial has some scattered hairlines, fine scratches, and surface nicks. Case has a good overall in-hand look with good engraving detail. Case bezel threads on and off quite tightly and I find it challenging to thread fully flush to band without the aid of a rubber grip and I will plan to ship the watch with the bezel mostly but not fully threaded. Glass crystal has a few scattered scratches.

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Shipping info  -  Ship ment   within  the United States will be $50.  International shipment will be via eBay's Global Shipping Program and with rate as determined by this service.