Railroad Watches Released

From The American Horologist magazine, June, 1945

Railroad Watches Released

Revocation of Limitation Order L-175, controlling the distribution of railroad standard watches, new and used, was announced today by the War Production Board. Production of this type of watch was not controlled by the order and therefore will not be affected by the revocation.

For almost three years, the period of the operation of the order, the only civilians authorized to obtain such watches were railroad time service employes whose needs were certified by railroad superintendents.

The demands of the Army, Navy, United States Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration were so urgent in 1943 that an appeal was then made to the public to turn in idle watches of this type.

Railroad standard watches are pocket models (size 16), springdriven, contain from 19 to 23 jewels, and are manufactured only by the Elgin, Hamilton, and Waltham companies. The order revoked today, which restricted the sale and transfer of these watches, went into effect August 7, 1942.