I was perusing the eBay "old watches" listings and ran into an intriguing listing for a "Forscheimer" watch . . .

Nobody else bid it very hard so it came here to "the shop" . . .

The "Negatives": No Crystal, Broken staff, weak main, missing minute hand, some plate screws and DIRRRRTY!

The "Positives": a 17 Jewel two tone Dome 1890 Model 1 (made for only a year or two at the beginnning of Hampden 16s Production) signed with the "D star in Flag" designating it as a railroad grade.

With a little "luck": I located a new p/n 2720 staff, found that the NYS 16s Main spring (.007" Th. x 0.110" W., T end) measured exactly the same, cleaned, reassembled with all necessary replacement parts and timed this beauty; <1.5 mSec Beat error, 18002-17998 BPH all positions!

So, this s/n 1091502 Model 107 RRG made for and sold by "B Forscheimer & Co., Cleveland, OH" that is still cased in the original Deuber Case is today still certain to do Hampden and B.F. Proud!

It is very possible that the staff damage was an an early "lucky break" for this watch, as that assured it would be tucked away avoiding any serious damage to the flawless dial and excellent 2 tone movement.

Just a note, you might appreciate that I save all mainspring ends because they make excellent Case Clips to securly hold loose movements due to over-gouged case screw seats. One came in very handy on this restoral . . .

That is an exceptional looking watch Dave, that is why I pick up Hampdens when I can, very few people chase after them and a lot of good watches are available at a very good price.

Nice restoration Dave, looks excellent. The dome really accentuates the two-tone pattern. It's great to see broken watches with missing pieces brought back to their original condition.

RR

Nice job on a really nice and probably rare Hampden, Dave.I think the genius that invented those wretched half-head case screws should have been dragged out back and shot!That is a good use for broken mainsprings, great idea....Ted.

Sometimes you see movement hold down screws that appear to be "half-head" but really are "broken-head". Some people crank down the screws so much that it pops half the head off. I sometimes think that Jo-Jo the Gorilla puts some movements into cases, case lip is bent, screws broken etc.

Great restoration of a beautiful movement! It is good to see these old jewels brought back to life. Speaking of jewels, is that a sapphire center wheel jewel? It looks blue to me or it could be the lighting.

That's a great tip for recycling broken mainsprings!