I just bought a 23j Open Face ,stem wound ,lever set ,model 2, grade New Railway Hampden cased in a 20 year Dueber case. About 750 serial numbers reserved.

Would you change the dial and/or case and do you think I got ripped off by paying $330 for it.

Movement
Note microregulator is missing--does anyone have a spare for sale.

Back of case

Robert....Ripped off....by no means....but I will say I'm a little confused at this point....

If I read the s/n correctly (1137303)my database shows that watch being a grade 105 NR in flag, 16s, 23j, adjusted movement in a hunter case with 750 in this variation, and the price guide says hunter case as well, but this watch looks like an open face movement and it is in an open face case,(nice looking at that)...

Maybe you could clarify the s/n of the movement, I may be reading it wrong....

Regards,
Jerry

Jerry
The serial number is 1,137,393.

I guess it is correct to size say it is a grade 105 but to me the distinction is that the NR in the flag (which stands for New Railroad)was Hampdens second best grade at that time .

Still wonder about what to do about the dial and case.

Bob

Hi Robert,

Well second check and the data base does call for an open face, which yours is....The price guide has been known to have a few errors, don't you know...
The only thing that I see is as you suggested, the dial could be the wrong dial for the watch....
The regulator micrometer is an easy fix, I would think....and the case I would leave alone....for now anyway.

Everything being said, you have a nice watch, just needs a little fixin as they say in Oklahoma....

Regards,
Jerry

nice watch. I personally like the dial as is.

I agree. I think it looks good the way it is.

Mike

Robert,

I love the dial, the case is beautiful, and I think it's a very nice watch.

What we pay for a watch is really a matter of personal preference.

I paid over $500.00 for one of my Pansy watches, and I would bet that almost no one would do the same. It's a simple 7J, 0s, Elgin, but I just love them. They are my personal favorite. (I also paid very little for them years ago when I started the collection)

I think you have done well with your purchase, considering how much some are going for today.

Congratulations on a good buy!

Shelia
I paid $330 for a rare (750 reserved serial numbers ) high grade 23j RR approved watch.

There are 3 variants of the grade 105 23j with NR in the flag with about 1,750 reserved serial numbers in total.

If this was an Illinois or Hamilton everyone would be drooling all over it.

This was Hampdens second highest grade and in 1902 the movement sold for $56.00.

I am very conflicted about the dial. My guess is that it came with a RR dial and was changed later. However this type of dial was offered for type 2 Hampdens--see Hernick and Arnold p53 The Hampden Watch Co. book- so I can't be 100% sure.

As the dial has numerous hairlines I am inclined to put a RR dial on it.

Bob

I think I would put a railroad dial on it. It would probably be more correct than it is now, as you suggest.