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Keller's Loaner Watch, V&T Railroad

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana / Collectibles - Railroad Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Keller's Loaner Watch, V&T Railroad
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In the early 1900's railroads were needed that ran with more precision. Watch companies began making watches for this purpose. Three brands were most commonly used by the railroads for this purpose. This watch is an "Official railroad watch from the Ball Watch Company of Cleveland." However, as good as the watches were, they were not perfect, but it wouldn't do any good to ensure that the railroaders have very accurate and repeatable watches, if they could re-set their watches anytime they felt like doing it. Thus, railroaders were prohibited from setting their watches. Periodically, railroaders who came under time service rules had to have their standard watches inspected and certified by the railroad's designated watch inspector. Some companies had their own watch inspectors others used a national service. The best known of which was the Ball Railroad Time Service. Most of the railroads' rules required that, should a watch inspector take in an employee's watch for service or repair, he must provide a loaner watch to the employee. [National Association of watch & Clock Collectors]

The back of this watch is etched with 'Kellers Loaner.' Attached to this official Ball railroad watch etched with Keller's Loaner is a metal fob that is inscribed "Keller Loaner, V& T RR."

So we have an official Ball railroad watch inscribed 'Kellers Loaner.' It is attached to a FOB etched with 'Keller Loaner V& T R. R.' We've been told Keller was a Reno watch merchant. though this has not yet been verified. State: Nevada City: Virginia City HWAC#: 48466 Date: