Details:

MAKE

Manufacturer: Hampden
Country: USA
Type: Man’s
Serial #: 1975106
Circa Date: 1904

CASE

Style: Hunter Case.

Material: Rose Gold-Filled.

Decorations:  Engraved with a floral design.

Conditions:  C  3  (The case is in Very Good condition)

DIAL

Color: White.

Type: Double Sunk Porcelain Dial.

Numerals: Arabic Numerals.

Hands: Spade Hands.

Conditions:  D  3-57  (The dial is in Very Good condition – slightly restored)

MOVEMENT

Jewels: 21 Jewels.

Setting: Lever Set.

Escapement: Lever Escapement.

Material: Nickel.

Layout: Bridge Style Layout.

Signed:  Yes.

Conditions:  M  3  (The movement is in Very Good condition)

The watch is housed in a traditional hunter case finished in warm rose gold-filled metal. Both the color and the finely engraved floral decoration give the case considerable visual appeal and distinguish it from the more commonly encountered yellow gold-filled pocket watches of the period. The hinged front cover protects the porcelain dial while providing the classic presentation associated with turn-of-the-century hunter-case watches.

Opening the front cover reveals a handsome white double-sunk porcelain dial with bold Arabic numerals and traditional spade hands. The double-sunk construction adds depth to the dial and is especially attractive on a quality American pocket watch. The dial remains in very good condition and has been slightly restored, which should be noted for collectors.

The mechanical highlight is the signed 21 jewel Hampden movement. Finished in nickel and arranged in an attractive bridge-style layout, the movement features a lever escapement and lever-setting mechanism.

The 21 jewel count places this watch well above the basic everyday movements of the period. Combined with the distinctive bridge architecture, the movement provides an impressive mechanical presentation when the rear cover is opened.

Dating to 1904, this Hampden brings together several desirable characteristics in one watch: a 21 jewel movement, lever setting, double-sunk porcelain dial, engraved hunter case, and unusual rose gold-filled finish.

For collectors of high-grade American pocket watches, Hampden watches, or decorative hunter-case timepieces, this is a particularly attractive turn-of-the-century example.

Condition

This antique Hampden pocket watch remains in very good condition for its age.

The rose gold-filled hunter case remains attractive, with engraved floral decoration providing a handsome period presentation. The white double-sunk porcelain dial remains in very good condition but has been slightly restored, an important detail that is disclosed for accuracy.

The signed 21 jewel nickel movement remains in very good condition and features an especially attractive bridge-style layout.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and accurately represent the condition of the watch.

The 21 Jewel Hampden Movement

The 21 jewel movement is one of the most important features of this watch.

Jewels are used at critical friction points within a mechanical watch movement. Higher-grade American watches often incorporated additional jewels as part of increasingly sophisticated movement construction.

This Hampden's 21 jewel configuration, combined with its lever setting and distinctive bridge-style architecture, gives the movement considerable collector appeal beyond the decorative qualities of the case.

The nickel finish also provides an attractive contrast against the warm rose-gold color of the hunter case.

Why Collect Hampden Pocket Watches?

Hampden was an important participant in America's great period of industrial watchmaking. Although the company never reached the enormous production levels of manufacturers such as Waltham and Elgin, it produced an interesting range of watches extending from everyday movements to highly jeweled precision grades.

Today, that history makes Hampden particularly interesting to collectors seeking something beyond the most commonly encountered American manufacturers.

This 1904 example is especially appealing because it combines a high 21 jewel count with a beautiful rose gold-filled engraved hunter case and traditional double-sunk porcelain dial.