same case different works

[hanahou30]

I have two watches that have an identical case but different works. One is a hampden watch co.serial number 2534176 and the other is American Waltham serial number 11667282. They both are in an identical case. The case does not have a name but says "patented trade mark" with a star and quarter moon dipicted. My question is who made the cases and is it common for different watch companies to use the same case maker?

[This message has been edited by hanahou30 (edited 03-02-2001).]

[hanahou30]

I have two watches that have an identical case but different works. One is a hampden watch co.serial number 2534176 and the other is American Waltham serial number 11667282. They both are in an identical case. The case does not have a name but says "patented trade mark" with a star and quarter moon dipicted. My question is who made the cases and is it common for different watch companies to use the same case maker?

[This message has been edited by hanahou30 (edited 03-02-2001).]

[Tom Huber]

from the description from the inside of the cases, these appear to be products of the Crescent Watch case Co. Watches from that era were generally not cased at the factory. When purchasing a watch, the customer went to a jewelery store, picked out a watch movement, then picked out the case of their choosing. The jeweler would marry them up. The cases were made by entirely separate companies, which generally were not affiliated with the watch companies--there are a few exceptions to this though. Hope this helps.
Tom

[sabphd]

Many companies did not case their movements in the factory, but sold them to jewelers who had a supply of cases from which the customer could choose. The watchmaker would then fit the movement and the case. Often the stem length would have to be adjusted by screwing the sleeve in or out.They could also oil the hinges and buff the case.In your instance it pure coincidence that the cases are the same.