In checking my Hamilton 944 I recently discovered that the original purchaser was what appears to be "Natl Rwy Time Service Co". Does anyone have knowledge they'd like to share about this "middleman"? The ledgers are hand written in cursive by someone who appears to have been a medical student so I wouldn't swear to this as accurate. Someone will know.

I know Tom will!

The National Railway Time Service started in September of 1916 by a. W.M. Davidson, C.H. Ackert and two others. They were similar to the other time services that existed at the same time. The one run by Webb Ball and another run by I believe J.W. Forsinger. The National Railway Time Service was based out of Chicago.

I will check my notes to see what else I have.

Some of the other time services were;
Ball Railroad Time Service
American Railroad Time Service Co.

In old newspaper articles I have the National Railway Time Service was still in business in the 1950's.

As to who your watch may have gone to, it could have probably been any one of the inspectors they employed in the system of railroads they serviced.

Thanks Tom. One thing pretty sure--the Los Angeles PL dial is probably not correct.

Do you have a link to photos of this watch you are talking about? Or what is the name on the dial?

Yes, here are some photos. It is a 944 I bought a while back.

The movement. My concern was simply that the dial didn't seem correct for the movement. I can change dials, leave it as it is, or possibly sell the dial if someone needs it. It really isn't bothering me but when I looked at the ledgers and saw the original sale it did not show the LA California jeweler.

Mike, he could simply have been a jeweller who did watch inspection for the NRTSCo. and could well have bought his own private label watches through them. I have read that jewellers who had contracts with these type of companies were obligated to buy through them and it did not stipulate only railway watches.
If there is anything to be found about him I am sure Tom will come up with it.

He was Walter Thomas Harris and was listed as a jeweler & watchmaker in LA from in the 1880's to the at least the 1910's.

Lorne is correct about the National chains supplying watches to their distributors. So the dial could be correct to the watch.

I will see if I can find more on Mr. Harris

Tom, here is a piece on J.C. Adams, I didn't know where it should go so put it in "Tales from the Rails":
Railroad Watch Inspection and the Adam's System of Time Records

It says Elgin made the first quick train watch in America but I have read the same claim of E. Howard

Thanks Lorne and Tom. I gues since the watch is in the bank vault in Oregon at this time, I will wait until I get home to spend too much time on it. I am now inclined to leave it. Tom's time fram makes me think the dial is contemporary with the movement and that's what had me concerned.