Hampden No. 304?

[sprio]

I have a Hampden PW that I know nothing about. Any information would be great! The movement says the following: 15j, No. 304, safety pinion, Canton, O., s/n 2853625. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow.

Thanks.

[Kent]

sprio:

According to information in “The Hampden Watch Co.,” NAWCC Special Order Supplement #1, J. Hernick and R. Arnold, NAWCC, Columbia, PA, 1997 (may still available - see Heart of America Press (http://www.hoapress.com)), serial number 2,853,625 1s a 12-size movement built in about 1913, give or take a couple of years. You can see a picture of the movement and a catalog description on page DH05 of the 1917 Oskamp-Nolting Catalog at:
<span class="ev_code_brown">www.elginwatches.com/scans/sales_catalogs/1917_Oskamp-Nolting/m_index.html</span>

<span class="ev_code_blue">To view, go to the </span><span class="ev_code_brown">Elgin Watch Collectors Site Home Page</span> <span class="ev_code_blue">at</span> <span class="ev_code_brown">elginwatches.org</span>, <span class="ev_code_blue">then copy and paste the address in your browser's address bar and click on </span>'Go'.

Good luck,

[sprio]

Thanks, Kent. I've looked at the links you provided.

Is this a good watch? Common/uncommon? Quality, and worth keeping?

[Kent]

Is this a good watch?
I suppose that depends upon your definition of good. If it runs and keeps time within 30 seconds per day, is that good enough?


Common/uncommon?
I doubt that production numbers are known for most grades of Hampden watches, nor have I looked at many 12-sizes watches, but I'm fairly sure that it is a common watch.


Quality, ...?
Quality? No - go take another look at that catalog page. This is a modest watch, priced rather low in Hampen's line of 12-size watches.


... worth keeping?
Well, that too depends upon your personal tastes and inclinations of what you want in a watch. If the case is in nice shape and your only going to carry it once in a while during special occasions, a night out on the town and such, then it might be just the thing to keep. But, I wouldn't put any money into it. If you really like it and are going to keep it, then it ought to be cleaned properly before you run it.

Good luck,

[HenryB]

My estimate on the 304 production is 9500 in 9 runs.

12 Size Hampdens seem to be a "galaxy of stars" in Shugart's.

However not this one :smile:

[Jon Hanson]

I have found these to be rather common over the years of viewing watches.

[rschussel]

I agree with both Henry B and John Hanson that the 12 size Hampden grade 304 is fairly common.My estimate is that between 7,600 and 11,800 were made.

As to the galaxy of stars for the 12 size watches in Shugarts book. With the exception of the 12 size thin line watches I think the indications of rarity are accurate.I went through the Hampden Watch Company Book and tried to determine scarity by estimating the total 12 size production for a run. The stars in the 12 size Hampden section (with the exception of the thin movements) are based on my estimates.

Several scarce 12 size grades are also reported in Shugarts book such as the 21 jewel Ohioian hunter ,grade 500 hunter,grades 320 and 360 open face and a 17 jewel Relgis thin model that did not appear in the Hampden Watch Company book.I personally own all of these watches with the exception of one of them.

Like Rodney Dangerfield 12 size Hampdens get little respect. However some of the earlier grades such as the 12 size John Hancock were well made.Hampden was the only major company to produce 12 size watches that were pin/nail set and lever set.Some of the 12 size cases and dials are magnificent .Bottom line-- an interesting area for collectors.

Bob Schussel
aka 12size on ebay

[HenryB]

Bob
Very interesting information on the 12 size Hampdens.

I have since put up an online database query that includes the Hampdens at:

Chapter 149 online databases (http://www.nawcc-ch149.com/pw_dbresearch.html)

The Ohioan and Grade 500 are listed in the Hampden Watch Book by Hernick and Arnold and are contained in the above database.

As you stated the 320 and 360 grades are not listed.

However, if you can provide a serial number and the characteristics for these grades, I will be glad to open up a new data window for them in the online databases.

[rschussel]

Henry

I have also sent you a private email.

The 12 size Ohioan Hunter and the 12 size Grade 500 Hunter are not listed in the Hampden Watch Book. Bob Arnold the co author of the book had not known about their existence nor the 17 jewel 12 size Relgis.

While some believed that Hampden produced the Reglis for the Ball Watch Company ,it was more likely produced for Sigler( Relgis is Sigler spelled backward) who was a large jeweler in Cleveland Ohio.My friend Jerry Treiman said that some of the private label names were developed by spelling a jewelers name backward.

Bob

[HenryB]

Exciting Items Bob--Thank you for the information.

I have now included Grade 500 HC, and Grade 320 in the my database that I maintain for corrections.

They will appear online in the next revision.

Also Bob pointed to me, that the Duquesne series was not appearing. I fixed it, (a field problem).