Hamilton · 21 jewels · 16s · 1940–1969
Hamilton started making the 992B in 1940 and kept at it until American production ended in 1969, so it's the last railroad watch Lancaster built. It's a 16-size, 21-jewel, lever-set movement adjusted to six positions, and Fratello puts the total at about 525,000. By 1941 it and the 23-jewel 950B were the only railroad-approved pocket watches left in Hamilton's line. In the war Hamilton supplied 992Bs to the military, some marked US Army on the movement, and built the 22-jewel 4992B navigation watch on the same base. Over the years the 992B came in a string of gold-filled catalog cases, including the Model 11, Model 16, Model 17 and Model A, with double-sunk, single-sunk and Montgomery dials, and it shipped in a Bakelite storage case. Cases got swapped over the decades, and one 1944 example on Hamilton Chronicles sits in a Keystone case Hamilton never listed for it. Judge it on the movement and dial first.
The grade
The 992B replaced the 992E in 1940 and is the last of the 992 line, adjusted to six positions where the 992 and 992E were adjusted to five. The 950B is its 23-jewel big brother from the same years, and the 4992B is a 22-jewel wartime navigation version with a center seconds hand, set from the crown. Confirm the top plate reads 992B, since its set lever parts don't interchange with an earlier 992's.
Most 992Bs were carried for years, so a set mainspring and old dried oil are normal, and many need a service before they keep railroad time. The enamel dial often has hairline cracks or nicks at 1 o'clock, where fingernails pulled the set lever for decades, and missing dial foot screws are common in watches that have been opened before.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 992B titled running in a 10K gold-filled factory case at $289 delivered, about $80 under the band. There are about 122 for sale and most ask $370–430 delivered, so the 1958 Freedoms Foundation presentation watch at $1,435 is asking for its story more than the watch. Railway Special on the dial is normal for a 992B, so read the grade off the top plate instead, where it should say 992B and 21 Jewels, and look up the serial, which should date 1940 to 1969. Running is the seller's word, so budget for a service. Check the seller's feedback on the item page, since eBay's pocket watch search doesn't show it.
$136.99est. delivered
The lowest current price on a 992B, titled running strong and dated 1950, but it's an auction with 3 bids and will climb. The title spells it 992 B, so check the top plate in the movement photo, and stop bidding below the $289 best-value pick.
Hamilton 992 B Railroad Grade Pocket Watch 21J Running Strong 1950
$289.45est. delivered
Titled running, with 21 jewels in a 10K gold-filled factory case, at $289 delivered and about $80 under the band. Ask for a photo inside the caseback to see the Hamilton marking a factory case should carry.
Hamilton 992B Railway Special - running – 16s, 21 Jewels, 10K GF factory case
$399.00delivered
A 1946 Railway Special titled running and adjusted to six positions, in a 10K gold-filled case with a stand and free shipping, right in the middle of the band. It's the plainly described 992B we'd hand a first-time buyer, with a service before daily carry.
Hamilton 992B Railway Special 1946 16S 10K GF Adj 6 Pos Running With Stand
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$136.99est. delivered
$131.00 + $5.99 shipping
Auction · 3 bids
Good buy
Auction with 3 bids. Titled 1950 and running strong.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$289.45est. delivered
$279.95 + $9.50 shipping
Buy It Now$279.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Titled running, 21 jewels, 10K GF factory case.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$399.00delivered
$399.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$399.00
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Good buy
Titled 1946, 10K GF, six positions and running. Comes with a stand.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$144.09est. delivered
$138.10 + $5.99 shipping
Auction · 9 bids
Our take
Titled project, with a 24-hour dial and 10K GF case. Expect it to need work.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$396.88est. delivered
$390.89 + $5.99 shipping
Buy It Now$390.89
Our take
Titled 1940s, 10K GF, with a chain. READ in the title means the description lists something, so read it.
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Used$405.98est. delivered
$399.99 + $5.99 shipping
Buy It Now$399.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Stainless steel case, titled running.
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Used$407.90est. delivered
$400.00 + $7.90 shipping
Buy It Now$400.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Our take
Bar-over-crown 10K GF case, a Hamilton catalog style. No word on running.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Serviced$1,434.95est. delivered
$1,425.00 + $9.95 shipping
Buy It Now$1,425.00
Priced high
Titled serviced, a 1958 Freedoms Foundation presentation watch. About $1,000 over the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 10, 2026.
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Hamilton · 992
Railroad grade16s · 21 jewels
$625–$1,350 typical ask
Hamilton · 992
Railroad grade16s · 21 jewels
$390–$500 typical ask
Hamilton · 950
Railroad grade16s · 23 jewels
$1,475–$2,300 typical ask
Hamilton · Railway Special
Standard grade17 jewels
Specs and what to check →