Hampden Babe Ruth - Is this real?

Internet Horology Club 185

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/3411052071

March 30, 2006, 08:01

Steven A. Cohen

Hampden Babe Ruth - Is this real?

I saw this watch on Ebay. they say it is a Hampden. I have never seen one like it. I thought Ingersol or Westclox did most of the charactor watches. Waht can anybody tell me about this watch?

March 30, 2006, 08:02

Steven A. Cohen

Here is the movement

March 30, 2006, 08:03

Steven A. Cohen

Here is info about the case

March 30, 2006, 08:15

John Pavlik

Steve,

The movement is a 15 jewel Hampden...The dial, that is very difficult to tell.. Could be a current computer generated add on or who knows..?? ask the seller some questions about it.. Serial number appears a bit early for "Ruth"..

March 30, 2006, 10:26

Steven A. Cohen

Thanks John, i will ask the seller about the face

March 30, 2006, 10:28

Lindell V. Riddle

Steve,

I am very suspicious by nature, that can serve one well at times like this.

Like John I have big doubts about a movement from the first decade of the Twentieth Century fronting a dial with the image of a 1920s hero. The doubts increase when looking at the grainy look of the dial. After all, fuzzy dials like that will rarely make us feel all warm and fuzzy-wuzzy.

Recently our own Adam Hutira provided an "Avoiding the Pitfalls of On-Line Trading" primer on and warning about faked-up character watches...

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4726044861/m/1551061402

That one looks like it's probably a foul ball.

Lindell

March 30, 2006, 10:49

Adam Hutira

Steve,

100% A FAKE. I am going to post some more information under the link which Lindell Provided if you would like to take a look.

Thanks,

Adam

March 31, 2006, 08:42

Steven A. Cohen

Thanks Lindell and Adam, I just learned alot in a short time. this seller in response to my email claimed they didn't know if the watch was real or not and they asked me if I could help. should I respond? Should I tell them I know it's a fake and how I know?
Thanks Again,
Steve

March 31, 2006, 11:24

Lindell V. Riddle

Thanks Steve,

In my opinion you should absolutely clue the seller in on the fact they have a recent fake on their hands. Often resellers are innocently passing along the story of what they were told or assume to be true.

Suggest they come here and learn more about our hobby. The comparitive low cost of 185 Membership could prove very worthwhile to this or any watch seller.

Lindell

March 31, 2006, 11:32

Adam Hutira

Steve,

I agree with Lindell 100%. A lot of times people will purchase something at an antique shop or flea market and not know it isn't original. With all of the fakes out there, some very well done, It is sometimes very hard to tell for a collector, let alone someone who is not. The seller seems honest and gave you an honest reply. They seem to want to know, so I wouldn't hesitate to reply.

Just my 2 cents.

Adam

March 31, 2006, 11:37

Steven A. Cohen

Lindell & Adam,
I will clue in the seller and inform them about Chapter 185. They seem sincere about their lack of knowledge.