Hampden Private Label

[harold]

In sorting out my collection I found this private label Hampden. The movement serial # is 164,697 and is signed Hayward Springfield Mass.
G.H. Baillie shows him in Springfield in 1881. The case maker is Blauer serial# 66943. Any information on Hayward would be appreciated.
I have never heard of a Blauer case.

 

[HenryB]

Harold
The Hayward was an early Hampden Grade of watch.
Thus it not considered a Private Label, but a grade, marked Hayward direct from the company.

We believe all Hayward's were 11 J Hunting Gilt movements with either Keywind or Stem winding.

The Hampden Company was located in Springfield, Mass and used this location on their watches until approximately Serial number 400,000 when they started using Canton, OH on their movements

Not sure, off the top of my head, where the Hayward name orginated from, for this grade name.

I believe that Blauer made some very fine cases, during this time period (1880's). I suspect yours is a Coin Silver Case.

 

[LloydB]

Harold
The Hayward was an early Hampden Grade of watch.
Thus it not considered a Private Label, but a grade, marked Hayward direct from the company.

We believe all Hayward's were 11 J Hunting Gilt movements with either Keywind or Stem winding.

The Hampden Company was located in Springfield, Mass and used this location on their watches until approximately Serial number 400,000 when they started using Canton, OH on their movements

Not sure, off the top of my head, where the Hayward name orginated from, for this grade name.

I believe that Blauer made some very fine cases, during this time period (1880's). I suspect yours is a Coin Silver Case.

**************
The predecessor company, New York Springfield Watch
Company, produced the Chas. E. Hayward model;
Hayward was one of the founders of the NY Springfield
Company.

The serial number dates your watch to around 1880, 1881,
only 5 years or so after NYSWCo became Hampden W. Co.

 

[harold]

Thank you for the information guys. Any comments on the fact that Baillies does list a Hayward in Springfield in 1881 ?

 

[LloydB]

Thank you for the information guys. Any comments on the fact that Baillies does list a Hayward in Springfield in 1881 ?

Only speculation: C.E. Hayward was in the
manufacturing jewelry business (family)
and the family, or C.E., *may* have had
some connection with a retail business in
a town where the NYSWCo factory stood.

It would be an interesting historical footnote
to follow up.