Webster Clay Ball (October 6, 1847 – March 6, 1922) was a jeweler and watchmaker born in Fredericktown, Ohio. When Standard Time was adopted in 1883, he was the first jeweler to use time signals from the United States Naval Observatory, bringing accurate time to Cleveland. In 1891 there was a collision between Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway trains at Kipton, Ohio, which occurred because an engineer's watch had stopped. Ball had earned a reputation for perfection in timekeeping along the Cleveland routes and was an obvious choice for railroad officials as their first "Chief Time Inspector"; charged with establishing precision standards and a reliable timepiece inspection system for railroad chronometers nationwide. Later, Ball established his own watch company dedicated to "the best of the best." Ball Watch Company ordered movements — to his exacting specifications — from highly-regarded watch companies in the U.S. and Switzerland. Specially-marked and damaskeened movements were ordered from top American manufacturers Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham as well as from Swiss manufacturers Audemars Piguet, Gallet, Longines and Vacheron Constantin. These movements met the highest standards in commercial watchmaking and were quite expensive – and sought-after – even during their manufacture and use. On February 10, 1907, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers honored his efforts by appointing Ball as an honorary member. Today, Ball Watch Company models are among the most prize railroad watches available. We are pleased to offer this exceedingly rare 16 size, 23 ruby jewel Ball-Illinois with original tag, bill of sale and New York Central inspection card in what we believe to be its original box. Purchased in the depth of the Depression, it would have been the pearl of great price for some proud conductor or engineer. Condition is very good, with perfect dial, factory hands and tight bow. It does not appear that the rich, substantial Ball railroad case has been buffed; only hand-polished. Both movement and case match bill of sale and tag.  It appears the watch was both carried and inspected by employees of the New York Central Railroad line.   Of course we have taken the liberty of cleaning, oiling and calibrating this work of horological art so that it keeps time as intended.     If you are on a quest for a rare, high-jeweled railroad timepiece, a handsome thing with unique provenance which elevates it to the level of historical significance, you’ve found your treasure.

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As many of our fine buyers and repeat clients know, each day we offer a smattering of things we've picked up here and there, many fine watches and pieces of jewelry that for one reason or another we'll not be offering on our Web site – some new old stock! Take a moment to look through our eBay offerings and bypass the estate and yard sale madness for watches and outstanding pieces of Victorian and Deco jewelry –  many of which are running and pristine – that are ridiculously underpriced. Watches this week include a '20s ladies antique watch or two, '30s Deco pieces, a '40s military style wristwatch, and fine Retro stainless steel wristwatches that are representative of a style that’s becoming all the rage; as well as gold rings and vintage wire lug examples perfect for restoration. Coming up are sterling silver wristwatches and a few items dug out of the workbench drawer of a retired watchmaker or two. Don't know anything about wristwatches? Have no idea about your grandfather's railroad pocket watch? We're one of the Web's largest vintage wrist and pocket watch dealers and are delighted to answer any questions you have about the timepieces we offer or those heirlooms you're unsure of. We extend a heartfelt invitation to see our other offerings and stop by to find out what's next!