It is now common knowledge that accurate timekeeping is required for railway-related work. However, when the railway business first began, there were no standards for clocks. Some people brought their own clocks from home, while others brought toy-like clocks.

In April 1891, a major accident occurred on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad in the United States, resulting in 11 deaths and injuries. The cause of the accident was that the train engineer's watch was four minutes slow.

In response to this, American railroad companies established strict standards for the time, such as the number of jewels, five-position adjustment, case size, and weekly error of less than one minute. Waltham, Hamilton, and other brands met these standards and were recognized as American railroad watches.

The first railway in Japan between Shinbashi and Yokohama was opened and an opening ceremony was held on October 14, 1872 (Meiji 5). Japan's railway operations and timetables are said to be the most accurate in the world, and railway clocks play an important role in their operation.

The first railway watch adopted in Japan in 1897 (Meiji 30) was the American brand Waltham, which was already being used as railway watches in countries around the world at the time.

Japan's first domestically produced railroad clocks first appeared in 1929 (Showa 4). This was when then-Minister of Railways Egi designated Seikosha's (now Seiko) Type 19 hand-wound pocket watch as the first domestically produced railroad clock. This Seiko railroad clock has since been converted from a hand-wound to a quartz movement to provide more accurate timekeeping, but it has continued to be popular with many people for over 80 years, along with Japan's railways.

Those who have felt close to the Japanese National Railways (JR) since childhood, those who spent their student days hoping to become a railway worker, and those who have made their dreams come true and become the train driver they have always wanted...

I'm sure that the driver who sits in the driver's seat and operates the vehicle was an object of admiration.

Beside the driver, a railway clock keeps accurate time. With a history that is not found in ordinary pocket watches, this railway clock is one of the items that comes up when talking about the appeal of railways.

Whether you chase trains with a camera or just love riding them, enjoy your hobby with this accurate timekeeping watch in hand.

■Question 1: What was it about the product that attracted you?

Mr. Keishiro Goda

Totetsudo No. 327, 1948, arrived safely in Aomori. Thank you for unearthing this precious railway clock. I was also pleased to receive a letter of comment.

The watch was ice cold when it arrived, so I warmed it up in my breast pocket before turning the crown, and it's still ticking away just fine. It's quite moving to think about the history of this watch, not to mention the patina it has acquired over the years.

While working for a certain railway company, I also volunteer as the chairman of the preservation society for the defunct Kosaka Railway in Akita Prefecture. This railway clock will be put back into service at the railway site of Kosaka Railway Rail Park (scheduled to open in the summer of 2014)!

■Question 2: Why did you choose our store out of all the other stores? If you have any advice, please let us know.

Good points

• High trust held by pocket watch specialty stores
• The homepage is easy to understand and user-friendly
• Mr. Goda's passion for antique watches!

There was nothing bad about it.

■Question 3: Did you experience any stress from the time you placed your order to the time it was delivered?

• I was able to make a purchase without any stress. I can really feel the love that went into the packaging and delivery.

• I would also like to see you unearth and introduce some engraved railway clocks from the Shikoku and Western Japan areas. I look forward to it.

This railway clock from 1948 is in perfect condition. The original engraving is also fascinating. It has traveled from Tokyo to Kochi, and is now continuing its journey to Aomori.

Today, December 23rd, I put it on the Tsugaru Railway stove train. Railway clocks are best kept at the railway site.

This stove passenger car was manufactured in 1953. It's a wonderful collaboration of these antiques! (The diesel locomotive was manufactured in 1959.)

What I liked about this store was that it is a highly reliable pocket watch specialty store. And above all, the buyers are enthusiastic. I look forward to discovering more good old railroad watches in the future. The website is well-organized and user-friendly!

We received feedback from our customer, Samatarou, who said, "I'll definitely buy from you again. I'm very satisfied with your service and the wide selection of products." Thank you very much.

My name is S and I purchased the SEIKO Railway Watch SVBR001.

I am currently a bus driver and wanted a watch that would tell me the exact time, so I purchased this. I was attracted by the wide selection.

I received kind emails from the time I ordered the product until it was shipped. I hope to work with you again if the opportunity arises.

■Question 1: What made you decide on the product you purchased?

My husband is a big steam locomotive fan, so I chose the Seiko "railway watch." The dial is simple, the hands are easy to read, and it's durable.


■Question 2: What made you decide to buy from our store?

As this is a gift to celebrate retirement, I wanted to include a congratulatory message and decided to purchase it from your store, which has the technical skills to do so.



■Question 3: Please cooperate with us in these areas so that we can become even closer to our customers and make them happier.

When I included the cost of adding the text, it went over my budget, so I was unsure whether to buy it.


■Question 4: After ordering from our store, did you feel at ease with your purchase until the product arrived? If you have any advice on how to improve, please let us know.

As soon as I placed the order, I received a call to confirm the engraving, and they responded quickly. I also received emails before the item arrived, which gave me great peace of mind.
I thought it would be better if the store covered the shipping costs.