I have a work related question for a change. I once heard all railroad pokect watches had Arabic numbers. But yet I have just ran across a supposed railroad watch (Elgin Natl Watch Co) with Roman numerals, so could railroad watches have Roman numerals?

Thanks, and have a good weekend all.

Joshua

Hi Joshua

I collect railroad watches,,and the Roman numerals,,were not and accepted standard,,by the railroad's....Maybe bacause they were too hard too read???

This is why,,Arabic numbers ,,,were the standard,,by the Railroad's,,and pocket watches had too carry a certain number of jewel's for a 16 size watch mininum 19 to 23 jewel's,,,adjusted too 5 postion's etc....

Ofcourse they watches that were Grandfatherd in as long as they could pass,,the railroad standard's,,for timekeeping,,,and inspection....

I hope this is of help,,,Pat

Also had to have the winding stem at 12:00, open face (that is, without the charming hinged cover that snaps over the dial and crystal) and be lever set (set by a lever that pulled out under the bezel, rather than by pulling out the stem like we're used to with wristwatches.)
All of these specifications were developed in the opening years of railroad watch standards. They weren't all in place on day one.

Some thing to remember is the context of the watch.
A watch that was a railroad watch in, say 1890, may have been perfectly accpetable at the time and with in all spec's. However ten years, and a few rule changes later, and a railroader wouldn't even dream of carrying it. A watch with Roman Numerals could have fit a standard at one time. The age of the watch is important in determing if the watch actually fit the rules......



Ben