Questions about servicing

[JulieK]

I have a Hampden that looks as though it's never been carried. The engraving is very crisp, there are no wear marks. It needs a crystal and cleaning. It is really stunning. I have no idea how to tell if the case has been replaced or not, there are no unusual marks, actually no marks at all around the screws and everything looks as it belongs.

I have two other watches that need cleaning, one of those needs a crystal, and depending on what my wonderful watchmaker says I would put them in rotation and carry them both. The Hampden that looks as though it's never been used I would not carry as I feel it should be left in this condition.

So, I am curious as to opinions. Is it advisable to get the new-looking Hampden back to working order? Even it it's just once? Or should I concentrate on the others seeing as I would use them, and will eventually have them serviced although I think the price of Hampden would preclude this for a bit. I already have two watches I use, but considering my lifestyle I have always wanted one per week. My work is hot or cold and I'm up and down ladders a lot. Thanks!!

Julie

[JulieK]

I have a Hampden that looks as though it's never been carried. The engraving is very crisp, there are no wear marks. It needs a crystal and cleaning. It is really stunning. I have no idea how to tell if the case has been replaced or not, there are no unusual marks, actually no marks at all around the screws and everything looks as it belongs.

I have two other watches that need cleaning, one of those needs a crystal, and depending on what my wonderful watchmaker says I would put them in rotation and carry them both. The Hampden that looks as though it's never been used I would not carry as I feel it should be left in this condition.

So, I am curious as to opinions. Is it advisable to get the new-looking Hampden back to working order? Even it it's just once? Or should I concentrate on the others seeing as I would use them, and will eventually have them serviced although I think the price of Hampden would preclude this for a bit. I already have two watches I use, but considering my lifestyle I have always wanted one per week. My work is hot or cold and I'm up and down ladders a lot. Thanks!!

Julie

[Mike Kenley]

JulieK,

I think all the watches should be kept in tip top running condition at all times. It is just good preventive maintenance. That way if you ever want to carry one for a day or two it's ready to go.

[JulieK]

I have seen several people say that they don't always service ones they are not going to use. The ones I use, my fusee of which I'm quite proud, and a Waltham 19 jewel are always serviced every two years without fail. There are several that have been given to me that are not worth the price of servicing. I am just kind of torturing myself over this I know. I want to get the Hampden done ASAP because it is so gorgeous, but I know in order to do it and the other two right, I'll have to spend a little money. Crumb. I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to put it aside for a while.

Julie

[Don Dahlberg]

If you are not going to run the watch, there is no need to service it. If you plan to run it at all, then you must have it cleaned.

Either way, keep it in a clean and relatively dry environment.

Don

[JulieK]

I know, I guess my question was is it ok to keep this pristine Hampden without a crystal for a few months. I think I am going to have this thing service and cleaned and made well and then just look at it every day - it's just so neat looking to me - but I'm just wondering if it's ok to leave it crystal free for a while longer. The others run just fine now, but need a cleaning before I use them. I wouldn't do it any other way.

Julie

[Kent]

Julie:

If you're going to keep that crisp Hampden on display (under glass, or otherwise protected - and clean & dry, etc., etc.), there's no need to put a crystal on it right away. However, after a few months, you ought to follow the good advice that Mike gave above and have it serviced, adding a crystal at that time. "It is just good preventive maintenance."

[JulieK]

Thanks Kent, I fully intend to have it taken care of. I just didn't want to do it any harm by delaying the crystal replacement.

I usually have all my watches serviced as soon as I get them, but family with good intentions and apparently much more money than I have deluged me with pocket watches in the last few months. Several are just not worth doing anything with, but there are 3 left that need taking care of and I will do two now and the Hampden in a few months.

My personal preference is to not get a watch unless I know I can have it serviced immediately. Hopefully I can get back to that soon! The Hampden is in a box I got from my local jeweler - tight fitting lid and it's wrapped in tissue. I have a nice display case, but honestly I'd rather have this fixed first.

Julie

[Wes]

Sounds like a nice watch. One thing I can say with confidence, you will enjoy it more if it is running.

[ckeithjohnson]

Hi Julie, You got our curiosity up. How about a picture of this Hampden?......................Keith

[JulieK]

Ok, here you go -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliekwatches/

I will never be able to figure out how to post them directly, but here is a link.

Julie

[Veritas]

Julie all i see is a message saying Flickr is having a massage, whatever that means.Can you try again as i am curious to see this Hampden too. :smile:

[JulieK]

http://static.flickr.com/45/145728910_fb5220753c.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/55/145728913_4fcd74fe06.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/55/145728917_7a3d7cb1f2.jpg

Do these work?

Julie

[Wes]

Julie,
The first one worked.
The other two come up as "broken" on my screen.
Looks like a nice case.

[JulieK]

Ok, I edited my last post with two more links to photos - couldn't get the photos themselves to work.

Julie

[Wes]

Here you go:
http://static.flickr.com/45/145728910_fb5220753c.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/55/145728913_4fcd74fe06.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/55/145728917_7a3d7cb1f2.jpg

[Wes]

I just put [ img ] and [ /img ] around the http:// addresses of your photos. (without the spaces I put around the img stuff above)
Once you know the URL it isn't hard to post photos. To figure out the url of the photo using Explorer or Firefox, right click the photo and select "properties". It should show the html location of the photo.

[Wes]

about the watch - very nice, good hands too. I am always one for fixing a watch when possible. Besides, who wants a broken watch? Almost every collector will have a few non runners in their collection, myself included.

[JulieK]

Thanks for looking - I really like this watch.

It's hard to see in the pictures but the detail is not in the least bit rubbed on the outside of the case. It's very crisp and the inscription engraved on the inside still has raised edges.

You're right - might as well get it running. Talked to my watch guy and the two little ones aren't going to be near as much as I thought, so I'm sending this one along too.

Julie