Just picked this Hampden up. Serial # 2,774,711. Can't find it in Shugart. Database says 1,000 made. Anybody else have one or any other info. Thanks.

Enhanced auction image. Dial seems nice, case is worn.

Thanks for your help.

Charles,
The data base says it's a 16s, 17 jewel, open face, grade 240, model 4. Stem wind and set, adjusted. Approx. year 1908. It also says, 1,000 made in that grade.
Brian C.

On Page 151 ""Hampden Watch Co." with all recorded S/N's as published in 1998 by Ehrhardt, Keller, Shuster, et. al, this ACTUAL S/N 2774712 is listed as a contract watch "made for W. J. Johnston Co."

Wow! How amazing is that. This watch looked nice so I did a "Buy it Now" for $95.00. I knew the results of the database lookup but that book you have with this very # is a nice surprise. The database result also mentions PL "W. J. Johnston Co"
There seems to have been a publishing Co. from NY by that name. I wonder if it originally sold with a PL dial? And I wonder how many of this grade were actually made?

Thanks for your time David.

Charles, as that has extra special Damaskeening, gold center wheel, steel escapement wheel, and IF it is in a Deuber Case, It represents as close to a triple-signed Premium Grade Late production Hampden as might be expected.

The mention of W.J. Johnston does not mention a private label, and in your case I doubt the dial has been changed since it's (then) owner submitted the s/n and description to the database.

I have the same movement, though a higher 3 million S.N. Mine has a heavy Ds AN RR dial.These are a sharp looking Hampden.The Arnold/Hernick book also shows 18 sizes with the same lettering and damaskeen pattern.I think these are kind of rare.I bought it because I'd never seen one like it before.Mine has what looks like a polished brass round arm center wheel and has a steel escape wheel....Nice watch you have there!

I forgot to mention, I tried to look mine up on an online Hampden serial # database, and it came up as a Wm. McKinley,obviously it isn't that.I can't remember my exact SN, the watch is out getting repaired.

Charles, I also have a Hampden, made for the same company, serial number on mine is 2770945, 21 jewel adj 3pos and pendent set, Jeff

Folowing that course of this discussion, I have a near s/n 2771402 double private label Hampden model 4 signed with; "Bromberg & Gregory, Battle Creek Mich." on the movement and a very nifty "B&G" logo on the dial. Interesting that this is only a few thousand away from the watch that started this thread.

A closeup of the signings. I regret that I have not yet serviced this with a new staff, thorough cleaning, fitments and appropriate case.

Nice watch, Dave.I'd be willing to bet that different private label names on American watches will be turning up forever.That one also has really nice lettering and damaskeening.

One more thing, does anyone know what W.J. Johnston Co. was,a jeweler or a dept. store?

Just a little looking so far, there was a W.J. Johnston Co. in NY in the 1890's that had something to do with electrical work & also the telegraph.

Found a listing for a book
Johnston, W. J.
Telegraphic Tales and Telegraphic History. A popular account of the electric telegraph, its uses, extent and outgrowths.
New York: W. J. Johnston (1880)

Tom

Thanks, Tom. I think they were in Pennsylvania though.I wonder why they didn't have their name on the dial or movement.You would think that since they contracted with Dueber Hampden to have these made special for them,that they'd have their name somewhere on the watches.On the cases maybe?

If you look at page 107 of the Hampden Watch Co.Book the entire page is devoted to WJ Johnson Co 4th Ave and Wood St Pittsburgh PA.

All of their watches"had special damaskeening patterns and Hampden marked in script on the movement". No mvts or dials have been reported with the WJ Johnson Co. name.

As David mentioned, it is very interesting that many of these special watches were made within a narrow range of serial production. My guess is that these serial #'s were reserved and the watches produced as necessary over a wider time period than the numbers would suggest. Jeffery's #2770945 seems especially rare with only 300 grade 260 listed as produced. How many of these are the special W T Johnson pattern is probably unknown but Jeffery's may be unique. David's watch is a real looker also and I'll be betting the refurb wil be taking place shortly. Thanks also to Ted, Tom and Robert for their contribution to my education. This discussion reinforces my opinion that The Hampden Watch Company, with its relatively low production and very high quality products, is one of the more interesting and underappreciated segments of the hobby.

Charles, you are certainly right about the pending restoration plan for this watch. It will be soon, and I will show it when it's done. For the record, the below scan is pg 107 of the Hampden book that Bob mentioned. This should "close the book" on the authenticity of Charle's great find.

Got my W. J. Johnston Hampden back today from Rob Carter.Serial # is 3111072.Mine has the dial shown in picture # 8 on the Hampden book Dave showed above, I was wrong mine does have a gold center wheel....Ted Brown.

I forgot something...it's nice to see that people are finally getting into Hampdens.Just look at all the interest just this one watch of Charles' generated.They really made some great watches, they just don't get the same appreciation as the others.Thanks!...Ted Brown.

Just for the record, it arrived today and it's nice, except for the worn out Fahy's case. Runs well and keeps very good time. Sure would look good in a Deuber display case.

David, I love the rose color of the plates on your s/n 2771402. I haven't seen that before. Is there any info on that?

Dial needs cleaning.

Nice beveling.

Thanks everybody for your input, this has been a very interesting and informative thread.

Charles, Thanks for the compliment, and I return the honor for that very nice movement you have shown us. Two interesting things, first the hands are either gilded or solid gold, but they match the pg 107 pictured hands for style and shape. Secondly, your dial is quite different from the dial pictured on the pg 107 mdl 260. Given the choice, I would say your dial is correct, and the pg 107 was a replacement. Just guessing at that though.

As for the rose cast of my movement, I wish . . . , but that is an "optical delusion" of the camera and the lighting.

I thought I would add my watch to this wonderful information.

SN 3129866

Nice Dial

The case is nice too.

It's packed away, but now I will just have to look for it, so I can find out who made the case!

This picture isn't much better, but it is bigger

SN 3129866

Shiela,

Look at Page 107 again and you will see that your watch is only 15 numbers away from the Grade 240 in the lower right corner. Certainly a cradle mate and probably machined on the same day! Very amazing! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Charles,
I have no idea what it is, I just loved the Fish Scale "look alike" damaskeening, and wanted to own a Hampden. I thought it was really nice. Can you tell me more?

model?
year?
etc.

Sheila,

Funny thing, but for some reason, your watch's serial # or the one pictured on Page 107 do not come up on the Hampden database lookup. Date is probably around 1915 - 16. It looks just like my #2774712 so it's probably Grade 240. Maybe someone else knows more about your serial #.