I have a question and hope someone has an answer.

I have a Hampden/Dueber watch movement.

Manufacturer: Hampden
Serial Number: 808068
Grade: No. 109 D (in split flag)
Size: 16s
Jewel Count: 13j
Dial Brand Name: D Split Flag

Here is my question. The movement lever does not fit any of my 16S cases. I have poseted a photo. I took a Hampden movement out of this case and placed it in the case to show how the lever arm does not line up properly. It is the same on all of the 16S cases I have.

Is there a different case that was used for this movement? I have looked through the Hampden Watch Co book but don't see anything that mentions a different case. Of course I may have missed something.

Thanks!

I recently tried to put a Illinois 16 size Getty lever set movement in a case that had the cutout for a lever & the lever would not line up. I had my watchmaker Rob Carter cut a larger slot in the case in order for the lever to align while he was doing a COA. Rob is a 185 member so you may want to contact him for help.

On 16 sizes Hampden had a different location for OF and hence I think that would be the case of HC as well. You can always tell if a Hampden is a second add to a case or if the case had a Hampden from the beginning as a result of the lever position. If it was a 2nd add it will have a 2nd slot or a wider slot, first case slot was for Illinois, Elgin, etc and the 2nd slot or wider slot was done to add the Hampden to the case.

No choice but the make a second slot or expand the original slot or find a case that originally held a Hampden.

Mike, your movement is a hunter style, so the set lever is correct for that style. Below is a properly cased 16s Hampden Hunter that passed through my collection with that same lever position. I strongly suggest you look for a hunter case for that movement. The dial art is quite valuable and would make that very
collectible.

Thank you everyone for the advise. Most of what I collect is 18 size so I only have 5 16 size watches, 4 of which are openface. The only hunting style case I have is a pendant set with no slot cut.

Sounds like I need to keep my eyes open for a hunter lever set case and if necessary - modify one.

The slot for the Hampden's and Illinois Getty style movements is always at about the "8" minute marker while the "normal" slot for others is generally at the "6" minute marker.

Unless you want to cut another slot or enlarge the existing slot that is already cut for the majority of the movements at the "6" minute marker, then you will have to, as you allude to, keep an eye out for a case with the slot you need.

On a really nice case one wouldn't want to cut two different slots in the case or make a big cut to accommodate a different location as they then distract from the looks of the total watch when viewed with the bezel off. Its usually a personal decision that one has to make. Just keep in mind that most folks don't want to buy a watch in a case that has two slots or a wide expanse slot cut in it.....

regards,
bb

With watch cases being melted down at a rapid rate if a nice watch/case combo comes by with a wide slot it really does not bother me but I don't like doing it myself (adding a second slot to make a case-movement work.

In your case the case appears to be a base metal case, and your movement is a hunter which most cases have waved bye bye long ago through the various recession, depression cycles because of their gold content.

In this case I would either add the second slot with a small file or make the slot wider whichever you feel more comfortable with and enjoy wearing the watch.

Base metal cases lose their silver coating after a few years of wear and most people detest them so sometimes you can pick up another nice one fairly cheap. Unless you have a high grade movement tracking down a nice hunter case to work with your watch would be expensive and unless it is a family heirloom, not a very good value proposition.

Thanks again - I will keep my eyes open for a case. The case pictured actually belongs to another watch so I won't be modifing this one.

Mike you can also look for a Dueber case as you may find it easier to case your movement. I recommend trying to find a Dueber case with a movement like yours. It may take time but Dueber cases are not that hard to find and were well made when new. Of course time and wear have to be considered. I have enlarged the slot when I had to but generally do not like doing it.