Many of you younger furries will not understand this. I would feel sorry for that, but it is what you wished. A 'new' world. So you will have it. Oh wait, some of you with steampunk ideals might. Talk to me. I like you. I have lived the steampunk deal long before you have.

Some few years ago, our America - indeed our world- lived by time, not by IP address and DHCP. We made lives around the natural Analog menu of life. Our railroad ran on time, very dependably. They still do, but only a little differently. Railroads (and airways, and the military) coordinated their every move using time. They often required a superior timekeeper, a clock or watch, used by every employee- it was often a status symbol. or a 'badge of honor' when you owned it. I am sad that personal honor is no longer a valued trait amongst young people, save for those who have military service training.

This is a Hamilton 992B Railway Special I just recently acquired. . It is a CLASSIC Railroad Grade pocket watch. It was made in the late 1950's or early 60's, a late time for such clockwork. My watch has a cracked crystal, and a worn case , but otherwise runs well, I have not seen it lose or gain time over several days (compared against an NTP Server.) I Do intend to have it renewed, the case polished and the crystal glass replaced. I well know the human who will do the work. He is a friend from some 5 decades ago. It was made by human hands, in Lancaster Pennsylvania, with the aid of non computerized machinery. It was designed by human will, and on paper and pencil, aided only by a slide rule. As such, you can see the human touch, the damascene polish the interior parts were given, it is a piece of art in itself. How Wonderful! that the Watch- Maker would be SO PROUD of his work.

I have wanted to own and carry one of these for over 3/4 of my life. I am 64 years 7 months, 2 weeks old. That equates to about 23500 days that I have wished to own this timekeeping device.. I wrestled several auctions and deals over the years, but finally, I have made it. Albeit, I wanted a 992B with a gold case, but I am pleased to have one with the kind of Stainless Steel case that was used by conductors on our finest 1950's streamliners like Santa Fe's SuperChief, Rio Grandes Zephyr, or maybe Pennsy's Keystone..Or even a common brakie on a local freight to Oh... any old place. By any Railroader.