The Story of Deuber's management of his Watch Case Company and the Hampden Watch Company has many serious and sometimes humorous chapters, but sometimes small things sneak out through the cracks that show there were some very creative spirits in that company. The art of this 23J Railway is a case in point . . .

While "plain" on the outside, it certainly set a stage of quite different scale on the inside . . . Not counting the Gold Diamonds, I count 17 different Damaskeened Patterns!

these are great watches Dave. Mine, for which I paid about $75 a few years ago, is in a Dueber display case and keeps excellent time.

Saw an open face and a hunter version of these at the Chapter 75 mart yesterday. The Hunter was so sharp! some of the two tone gold was a little washed out on the open face.

They were available in the 3-400 price range. Didn't seem unreasonable to me, I was tempted but want to stay focused on the older Ball's.

happy hunting

Thanks Lin, The most comical thing about all of these 23 Jewel Hampdens is the Jeweled winding arbor just so you can "see" the jeweling. The motor barrel still runs on steel bearings, obviating the purpose of a Jeweled Motor. I took this pic showing this while cleaning it last year . . .

Nice watch Dave!Speaking of the non-jeweled jeweled motor barrel on the Hampden, were the 18s 19 and 23J Hamiltons jeweled the same way as on the Hampdens.I know the rest of the movement is pretty much a knock-off of the Hampden design...I have the 17, 21,and 23 jewel Special Railways,I realize that the barrel jewels on the 23J are useless, but it sure looks impressive with the huge raised gold setting!I still think Hampden is America's most under-appreciated watch.I believe in them and always will.Too bad there's no Hampden collectors club, I'd sign right up!