I couldnt help myself. A 16 size Hampden 21j adj 3 postions Grade 125 was on Ebay that kept saying to me BUY ME. I already own one with a Montgomery dial.

The Grade 125 is one of the rarest Model 5 with a production of only 500.Personally I think they are undervalued in comparision to the Chronometer grade (adj 3 positions) which goes for over $500.

I paid $215 and plan to put it away as an investment.

Bob

Dial

Your'e the guy who outbid me. Good going! At least it stays in the "family", I will keep lookin . . . (btw, I ssem to have an extra 12s A Lincoln 21j laying about, havn't looked for it lately).

David
If I knew you were the other bidder I would have backed off. Maybe we can work something out.

Bob

I will e-mail you a suggestion

Mr. Bob,

Is there a secret you can share for the rest of us on how you seem to find these rare and inexpensive watches?

Keep them coming!

John

John
I really don't have any secrets.

Over the years I had to teach myself ( and got help from Jerry Treiman) about 12 size watches as almost everyone treated them and my collection with distain. Thus I became knowledgable in a back water area--12 size watches.

With relativley little competition and a willingness to pay "more than they were worth" I was able to cherry pick some very rare stuff on Ebay.

When the Hampden Watch Co book became available it opened my eyes to another totally overlooked company--Hampden. (Some of the 12 size watches in the book such as the Paul Revere have some of the most magnificant dials and cases I had seen). I spent several weeks of my free time estimating the production of the 12 size Hampdens ( from the serial lists in the book) and then spent the next few years buying up the scarce stuff at cheap prices.

Even now ,with a few exceptions most 12 size watches and Hampdens (in general) are a bargain.

I have enough experience that I can tell a lot from a blurry picture and I have gained a sense of what is rare or unusual because I specialised.

I feel that specialization is the key.For example Shelia collected many of her Panzies at bargain prices and now has a great collection.

The other secret is be willing to pay more if you think its special.For example no one in their right mind thought than anyone would spent more than $200 for the Hampden 125 I just purchased. However,knowing how rare it was and that a picture and description of it was missing from the Hampden Watch Co book I was willing to go significantly higher.

In the past I paid $1,000 for a 12 size CH Hulburd which at the time was a lot of money. Initially I had buyers remorse but now feel that it is a bargain.

Bob

For those looking for a niche consider 12 size Howards

12 size Howards continue to be underappreciated.
The 23j 12/14 size is an extremely high grade watch,and the 21j 10 size often comes with magnificient dials and cases.

The 12 size Waltham Howards are relative bargains considering how scarce they are.

Bob

Robert,
A Beauty for sure! Congratulations!

I've been at this forever, and I still don't know enough about them. Makes me crazy.

I want to venture out some, but when you can't afford much, you don't know where to start.
I would love a Father Time, it's my all time "I gotta have one" watch, but the ones I see that I like are always the highest price.

A taste for diamonds, can afford CZ's
hehehehehe