Swiss-made Ball Model 435 Railroad Chronometer Pocketwatch (1950)

20th Birthday Present to myself ten years ago. Also one of my biggest bargains, most prized possessions, and my daily timepiece. Got it back from the watchmaker just a couple of days ago. Second time it's been serviced in a decade, and boy it needed it (mostly because the mainspring snapped!).

But he was good enough to also 'update' the watch a bit, putting in a correct 'needle' minute-hand of blue steel, and a new bow on the top of the watch, to swap out the cheap cruddy one that was there before. Also gave the watch a total overhaul and a new spring. Working excellently, as always!



Was very happy with being able to capture the blue reflection on the hands in this photograph!!

Swiss-made Balls were the last railroad-certified pocketwatches used on the Canadian Pacific Railroad back in the 1950s, which is why this watch has a 24-hour dial (a feature which was mandatory on Canadian railroad watches). After this, pocketwatches were faded out and replaced by wristwatches for the first time.