I purchased this Ball official standard RR watch at an auction for 30.00. I am curious what the history is behind it and if it is worth the 30.00. It is gold colored and has no markings on the back and on the front it says trade mark official standard RR and ball watch of "Cleveland" from what I can tell

Again we need a picture or serial number of the movement. Any Ball watch is worth minimum the $30 you paid for it no matter what condition. This back also unscrews and the serial number on it will start with a B

Kim,
If your Ball ORRS watch is a 16 size then it will almost certainly have a serial number starting with the letter B. However, if your watch is the slightly larger 18 size, then the serial number will not have the "B" prefix.
In either case, letting us know the serial number on the movement itself, and even better, with a clear scan posted of the movement and the inside of the back of the case will help us tell you more about your new purchase.

B228843 is the serial on the guts

Kim,
The guys will have to help you with this one, but BOY! is that nice looking and a Ball too!!! WOW!
I can't wait to find out what it is too.
Good Luck!

This is a picture of the Ball

The inside of the back of the case(part I screwed off) says Keystone watchcase J(possibly) Boss and 14k gold filled then the number 7604111

quote:

B228843

Kim,
Accoring to data published by Roy Ehrhardt, your Ball watch, S/N B228843, was made about 1906 by the Waltham Watch Co. It is an Official Railroad Standard grade, was lever set and probably contains 17 jewels. It would have been accepted for service on all major railroads at the time it was built.
Sometime in its history the case has been replaced. These Ball watches originally were sold in cases marked "Ball Model".
The J(ames) Boss marking on your case tells us that your case is gold filled, a sandwich of two layers of gold around a center section of brass. The "gold filled" marking suggests that the case was made after about 1924, as at that time the exact metal content started to be required by Federal law.
You got a real good deal on this one.

So does the replaced case decrease the value of the watch. How would I clean and or repair the watch. Would a regular jeweler be ok. It will work for a few seconds then quit. How would I find out the estimated value of the watch.

Oh and by the way it is 19 jewel. And might I add I am fascinated with the info I have learned about these watches.

Hello Ed,
Did all Ball Watches some with a Ball marked case? I have a size 12 Commercial Standard currently on auction (this site) and it has an Elgin Giant 14K GF case. To me it looks original to the watch as I see no other marks to indicate another movement. The case looks to be in the same condition as the rest of the watch (i.e. not newer).
Best regards,
Grant

Kim,
Yes, the case replacement will have a negative effect upon the value. Make sure that whomever you have restore the watch is familiar with working on these vintage movements. There are several restorers here on the 185 Board (including myself) that can handle this kind of work. It is far more important to get someone proficient rather than someone who is nearby. Also, good work isn't cheap (or fast), you will get what you pay for.

Grant,
I believe that all of the 16 size ORRS movements were sold in "Ball" marked cases. Some, but not all of the 18 size ORRS came in Ball cases, but I don't believe that the Elgin or early Hamilton movements did. I'm not sure about the Commercial Standard movements, but I have seen a number of cases marked "Ball Commercial" so at least some were cased that way.

ED,Can you contact me pertaining to this My email is BChar32915@aol.com