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RGM Adds New Railroad Dial:
The Model 222-RR

- By RGM (PA) 10/26/20

Two Model 222-RR wristwatches, a pocket watch, and a toy model of a steam locomotive, resting on a railroad map of Pennsylvania.
Two Model 222-RR wristwatches. One with the original dial and one with the new Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Style Dial.

Inspired by America's Great Railroad Watches from the Past

The Model 222-RR is a modern wristwatch with a vintage heart, featuring a Hamilton 10- sized pocket watch movement. RGM was the first to use these wonderful classic movements in a wristwatch. Our vintage Hamilton movements are rebuilt using parts that are in optimum condition, including a new mainspring made for this movement. We flat polish the steel parts by hand on a tin block to better-than-original condition. The entire process of careful reassembly to precise adjustment of the movement is managed by one watchmaker. The grade 921 movement has 21 jewels and was made in large quantities; the grade 923 has 23 jewels and is rare, with less than 4,000 movements manufactured.

The Grand Feu Real Enamel dial is modeled after American railroad watches from the past. The blued-steel hands remain true to the classic form and the 1:30 crown position pays homage to early 20th- century timepieces. It’s also very natural to read the time when worn on the left wrist.

The Model 222-RR wristwatche with the new Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Style Dial.
The Model 222-RR wristwatch with the new Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Style Dial.

New Dial Version - Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Style Dial

Henry S. Montgomery was the General Watch & Clock Inspector of the AT&SF Railroad from 1896 to 1923. Mr. Montgomery patented his first marginal minute safety dial design Type-I around 1906. RGM’s dial is inspired by the rare Type-II dial variation that was patented in 1920.

A Montgomery dial displays minutes 1-60 along the outer edge, with every fifth number in red. Some collectors say that a "true" Montgomery dial must have an hour number 6 visible inside the seconds register. Dials approved for use on the railroads needed to be functional and readable, even under adverse conditions. Most American watch companies used Montgomery dials on many of their railroad-grade watches.

Two wristwatches one top of one another with the top showing the dial and the bottom showing display case.
Two Model 222-RR wristwatches with the new Type II Montgomery Marginal Minute Style Dial.

Existing Dial Version - Box Car Style Dial

In 1925, Ball introduced a new official RR standard dial referred to as the Box Car dial. It displayed plain, sans-serif, heavy hour figures, making the dial extremely legible. Waltham, too, offered a similar Box Car dial, as did Elgin and Hamilton on some of their railroad models. Box Car style dials were in demand by railroad employees. They remain popular for their functionality and understated style.

Technical Specifications:

Movement:
10-size Vintage USA-made Hamilton grade 921 or 923, manual winding
21 or 23 jewels
18,000 vph
Rhodium
Circular Damaskeening
Motor-Barrel
Anglage

Functions: Hour/Minute/Second
Power Reserve: 42-45 hours

Features:
Case: Stainless steel with crown at 1:30
Sapphire crystal front and back, water-resistant to 5-ATM.
Dial: Glass Enamel, Grand Feu (“Great Fire”)
Hands: Blued-Steel Railroad style
Crown: Stainless steel
Strap: Thick Leather with contrast stitching

Pricing:

$5,950 with 921 movement
$7,950 with 923 movement
Contact: Roland G. Murphy • RGM Watch Company • 717.653.9799


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