Hamilton · 23 jewels · 16s · 1910–1935
The 950 was the top of Hamilton's railroad line for three decades. It came out in 1910 as a 16-size, lever-set movement with 23 jewels, a solid gold train from the center wheel to the fourth wheel, gold jewel settings and a motor barrel. In a motor barrel the mainspring barrel turns on a fixed axle whose end runs in a jewel, and that's one thing that separates the 950 from the 21-jewel 992, which has a plain barrel. In 1935 Hamilton fitted its Elinvar hairspring and the grade became the 950E, and in 1941 the 950B replaced both. By 1912 more than half of railroad men carried a Hamilton, and the 950 was one of the grades in their pockets. Buyers could pick a solid gold or a gold-filled case, so you'll see both, sometimes in Hamilton's bar-over-crown case. The back of the movement is the best part, so get a good photo of it.
The grade
The 950 was Hamilton's top 16-size railroad grade, two jewels and a motor barrel above the 21-jewel 992. In 1935 it got the Elinvar hairspring and became the 950E, and in 1941 the 950B replaced both. Confirm the plate reads 950 with no letter if you want the original, and 23 Jewels.
Old crystals chip at the edge, and enamel dials pick up hairlines and chips over a century. The mainsprings in these are usually set, so plan on a service.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 1927 950 titled works in a gold-filled Model 3 case at $970 delivered, the lowest ask here, or the 1921 one titled clean and running in 10K gold fill at $1,015. Only about 14 are for sale and most ask $1,050–1,750 delivered, so the band is a thin read, and the three dearest asks are Australian listings with $69.80 shipping. Ask for a movement photo that reads 950 and 23 Jewels with no letter after the number, a jewel in a three-screw setting at the center of the ratchet wheel, and a serial that dates 1910 to 1935. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, since eBay's pocket watch search doesn't show it.
$970.00est. delivered
The lowest ask on a 950 at $970 delivered, a 1927 Model 3 in a gold-filled case, titled works with its solid gold train. It's about $80 under the band, so it's the one we'd look at first if the movement photo checks out.
1927 Hamilton 950 16s 23J Model 3 - Gold Filled Case - Solid Gold Train - Works
$1,015.00est. delivered
Titled clean and running in a 10K gold-filled open-face case, at $1,015 delivered near the bottom of the band. Masonic is in the title, so check the photos for where the emblem sits and that the dial is original.
1921 HAMILTON 10K GF OF 16S 23J 950 MASONIC RAILROAD POCKET WATCH,CLEAN,RUNS
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 10, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$970.00est. delivered
$950.00 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$950.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Titled 1927, Model 3, gold filled, solid gold train, works.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,015.00est. delivered
$995.00 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$995.00
Good buy
Titled 1921, 10K GF open face, Masonic, clean and running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,169.10delivered
$1,169.10 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,169.10
Our take
Titled 1911, gold filled. No word on running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,349.10delivered
$1,349.10 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,349.10
Our take
Titled 1919, with a display back. Ask what the case is marked, since a later case makes it a married watch.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,431.94est. delivered
$1,424.95 + $6.99 shipping
Buy It Now$1,424.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 1927, Model 3, 14K white GF. No word on running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,525.00est. delivered
$1,350.00 + $175.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,350.00
Our take
Titled 1919, with no case or running details. $175 shipping from Canada.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$1,606.06est. delivered
$1,536.26 + $69.80 shipping
Buy It Now$1,536.26
Our take
Titled 1917, motor barrel, GF open face. $69.80 shipping from Australia.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$2,164.00est. delivered
$2,094.20 + $69.80 shipping
Buy It Now$2,094.20
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 1926, Time Zone, 10K GF. $69.80 shipping from Australia, about $400 over the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
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