HAMPDEN Watch Co.
Hampden Watch Co. an American watch manufacturer located in Springfield, Massachusetts and Canton, Ohio, manufactured timepieces from approximately 1877 to 1927.
In 1866, Donald J. Mozart founded the Mozart Watch Company in Providence, Rhode Island, to manufacture timepieces. The company failed very soon and in 1867 Donald has to reorganize the firm as the New York Watch Company with production facilities in Springfield, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, three years later, the factory burnt to the ground. Finally, in 1877, the company reopened, now doing business as the Hampden Watch Company.
Dueber Watch Case Company, located in Newport, Kentucky and founded by John C. Dueber in 1864 -to manufacturer cases for fine watches-, manufactured cases that held the internal workings of Hampden watches. In 1886, Dueber purchased a controlling interest in the Hampden Watch Company. One of the first Dueber's strategies was to relocate both companies (Hampden Watch Company and Dueber Watch Case Company) to Canton, Ohio. Now, the two companies shared manufacturing facilities and the Dueber Watch Case Company produced now the cases for the watches that the Hampden Watch Company manufactured.
By 1890, the company was producing quality watches, and introduced the first size 16, 23 jewel movement made in America.
Finally, in 1923, the two companies formally united together and becoming known as the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company. During the lathe 1800's and the early 1900's, the company was an important employer in Canton, employing at first around 2,300 Canton residents, around 10% of the city's population. Thanks to Dueber-Hampden Watch Company, Canton became an important center of watch manufacturing in the US.
In 1925, Dueber -who controlled all aspect of the company- sold the company to Walter Vrettman. Unfortunately, in 1927, falling sales, the company went to bankrupt and finally ceasing operations in the city in 1930 when Amtorg Trading Corporation purchased the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company together with the manufacturing equipment, parts on hand and work in progress, and move everything to Russia -including 21 former Dueber-Hampden employees to teach the Russians the craft of watchmaking- and build a new factory, the First State Watch Factory in Moscow.
HAMPDEN
Pocket Watch
Lever Set
U.S.A. Made
This is a unique timepiece, a vintage Hampden pocket watch. The movement serial number indicates that this watch is dated from 1904.
It is a manual wind pocket watch with an original Hampden Watch Co. movement caliber grade No. 65, size 18s, 11 jewels movement, U.S.A. made. This is a lever set watch, so you pull out a lever to set the time.
After 120 years, it still has the beauty original white dial (unfortunately with a crack on the dial) with bold Arabic Numerals, bold minute marks and matching hands. The sub second is located at 6. The dial is signed "Hampden Watch Co.".
Cased in a 55.3mm round case and beautifully engraved sides, all in Nikel. The crystal has two chips- one at 6 o'clock, and one minor at 10 o'clock.
This pocket watch is still in good condition, runs very well and keeps great time!
*The pocket watch holder is not included with the purchase of this pocket watch.
Thank you for looking! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.
Movement:
Hampden Watch Co.
Canton, OH
1937672
Safety Pinion
Case Back Signed:
Illinois Watch Case Co.
Nikel Elgin U.S.A.
253902
Measurements (mm):
Case 55.3
Case w/Crown 71.8
Case Thickness 22.3
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust lighting when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
Please view our other listings.
Thank you for looking!
WA-0689
