November 17, 2008, 20:45
David AbbeA Hampden Bridge piece
I "found" this on eBay as a parts watch. After a cleanup and a new main it is in excellent 131 year old condition.Some special notes about this particular movement.
1. The s/n 57492 pre-dates the earliest (book) recorded Hamden made by my three generations removed James Abbe who together with Mr. Charles D. Rood and others funded Mr. John C. Perry as factory manager to produce a new watch called "Hampden" using the tools and equipment of the twice bankrupted New York watch Co of Springfield Massachusetts.
2. This movement was signed "J.C.Perry", then finished with a "Hampden Watch Co." signed dial. This with the very low serial number suggests it was a "bridge" movement finished by Mr. J.C.Perry to be sold as a Hampden as soon as that was possible with the approval of the newly formed Hampden Watch corporation.
3. The 15 jewel movment is a 16,200 BPH "slow train" movement that runs very smoothly, but is most certainly a highly finished version as the New York W. Co. of Springfield movements, excepting the extra Jeweling.
4. While the Guide lists this as a "$100.00" value watch, it is priceless to me for its provenance and history as a principal stepping stone for a family of watches and watchmakers that culminated with the Hamilton Watch Co., which was the last great American Watchmaker to exist!