I found this picture in an auction listing. As I read it it appeared that Deuber felt that the other case makers were out to do them harm. What do others think?
Joe
Posts: 450 | Location: St. Louis, Missouri U.S.A. | Registered: October 10, 2004
Some of the Hampden models will not fit properly into a case with a dustband. As old JOhn said on the paper, it might bind up the mainspring barrel. He wasn't paranoid. He was properly warning jewelers.
I got the paranoia from the sentence that read "It was the intention of the manufacturers of these so-called improved cases that they should not fit Hampden Watches". This was clearly a warning to the jewelers but it was not exactly a pat on the back for the competion.
Joe
Posts: 450 | Location: St. Louis, Missouri U.S.A. | Registered: October 10, 2004
Hampden definitely felt put-upon by the "watch trust", and their paranoia had merit. This gilt illustration from the back cover of a 1900 Hampden material catalog show how they felt about Elgin.
Posts: 1455 | Location: Los Angeles, California USA | Registered: January 14, 2003
I remember a like ad shown in Kent and Ed's Railroad Corner article in the Bulletin about the Hampden Special Railway models. In that ad it had a passenger conductor holding his Hampden watch in one hand, and holding Father Time by the beard with his other. No doubt who it was taking a stab at, as it was a dead ringer to the Elgin ad 'Father time' character.
Regards! Mark
Posts: 3837 | Location: Estill Springs, Tennessee, USA | Registered: December 02, 2002
John C. Dueber battled the "Watch Trust" an industry group that tried to artificially control prices and practices. That and more is detailed in "Springfield to Moscow, the Complete Dueber Hampden Story" by James W. Gibbs, a copy of which is on the way to you with my compliments.
Lindell
Posts: 10553 | Location: Northeastern Ohio in the USA | Registered: November 19, 2002
