16s Ball Waltham 21 jewel RR pocketwatch

A Ball Waltham 16 size 21 jewel railroad watch, the movement manufactured by Waltham Watch Co. and the watch assembled and marketed by Ball Watch Co. in 1911.
 
Mr. Webb C. Ball was a railroad time inspector who had been tasked by the railroad commissioners to devise a minimum standard of manufacture to which all the watches being used by the various Railroad companies had to comply. This was in response to a serious fatal accident that had occurred on the railways and which was attributed to poor timekeeping due to low quality watches being used by railroad employees. Having devised these "Railroad Approved" standards the Wily (astute?) Mr. Ball then established the Ball Watch Co. in order to sell "Railroad Approved" pocket watches to the various Railroad companies and their employees. The movements were manufactured to Mr. Ball's design and specifications but were actually made by the established watchmaking companies then sold to Ball Watch Co. to assemble into complete watches. Most of the established watchmaking companies made and supplied movements to Ball with Hamilton and Waltham being the most prolific.
This Waltham example is very high quality with 21 jewels, a Swiss lever escapement with double roller, Sapphire pallet stones, gold timing screws and a sprung micro-regulator. The movement is beautifully finished with gold jewel settings, a lovely damaskeened pattern on the plates and gilt inlaid script.
The watch is running strong in all positions for the full length of the wind and is keeping excellent time. It is crown wind and lever set (withdraw the small lever by the 1 and rotate the crown to set the time). Both functions are working smoothly.
The 3 piece gold filled case is in nice condition, there are no dents or dings but there are very narrow bands of wear through to the edges of the covers. The covers front and rear screw on and off, both close down square and tight all round. On the rear cover is a beautiful hand engraving of a train which whilst having age related smoothing is still clear and distinct.
The original single sunk white enamel dial is in very good condition with a very small edge chip at the 6 minute mark and a tiny hairline below the 6 at the bottom of the dial. Fully signed with the Ball trade mark, a nice dial.
Time indicated by a very good set of blued steel, heavy spade style hands under a very good mineral glass crystal.
Overall a very collectible and very useable antique railroad watch in nice condition and in good working order.