Kent
12-21-2000, 01:46 PM
Karol:
In discussing watches, the movement is most important, with the case being considered a secondary item. Because of the need to be able to identify the movement accurately so that correct replacement parts could be obtained, the movement companies put unique serial numbers on their products. From the serial number, the grade, model and other information, such as the approximate date of manufacture, can be determined.
Thanks to Robert Arnold and James Hernick, who spent years gathering data on Hampden and then publishing it, this information is likely to be available for your Great Aunt's watch. If you can tell us all markings that are stampled on the movement (the "works") we should be able to help you out. If you can post a picture of the movement, that'd be great, or you can e-mail one to me (by clicking on the speeding letter at the top of this note) and I'll post it.
Only a small percentage of American watches were cased at the factories prior to the mid-
1920's. Most watch companies just made movements in industry standard sizes. The case companies made cases in those same sizes. The practice at that time was to go to a jeweler, select the quality of the movement and then pick out the desired style and quality of case. The jeweler would then fit the movement to the case in a matter of moments.
There is a lot less information available on cases. However, if you can also tell us all the markings that are stamped on the inside of the case, we may be to tell you a little about that as well.
Kent
In discussing watches, the movement is most important, with the case being considered a secondary item. Because of the need to be able to identify the movement accurately so that correct replacement parts could be obtained, the movement companies put unique serial numbers on their products. From the serial number, the grade, model and other information, such as the approximate date of manufacture, can be determined.
Thanks to Robert Arnold and James Hernick, who spent years gathering data on Hampden and then publishing it, this information is likely to be available for your Great Aunt's watch. If you can tell us all markings that are stampled on the movement (the "works") we should be able to help you out. If you can post a picture of the movement, that'd be great, or you can e-mail one to me (by clicking on the speeding letter at the top of this note) and I'll post it.
Only a small percentage of American watches were cased at the factories prior to the mid-
1920's. Most watch companies just made movements in industry standard sizes. The case companies made cases in those same sizes. The practice at that time was to go to a jeweler, select the quality of the movement and then pick out the desired style and quality of case. The jeweler would then fit the movement to the case in a matter of moments.
There is a lot less information available on cases. However, if you can also tell us all the markings that are stamped on the inside of the case, we may be to tell you a little about that as well.
Kent