This is a new one to me. It's a Hampden 12s Aviator in the slightly more common (3k made) 19j version. I have a 17j and a 19j, and over the course of researching them I've looked at a dozen or so examples. This is the first one I've seen that's marked Adjusted to Four Positions. My initial impression was that it might be a replaced bridge plate, but the damaskeening matches, so it appears that it's a legitimate variation. Anyone know enough about the Aviator grade to comment on this variant?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Near-mint-...9e6de42#ht_500wt_817

Yes, I agree that the whole exercise becomes a little pointless (when it comes to deciding what examples to add to a collection) when we start focusing on minutia like this. It's true that the Hampden Aviators were all adjusted to four positions (according to their own marketing material) but this is the only one I've seen so far that has that fact actually engraved on the plates...

I'm passing on this one, by the way. Something seems fishy about that marking. It may be legit, but I'm at a loss to find any supporting evidence, so I'm going to steer clear in case this one is re-engraved or has the wrong bridge.

It would seem that if the seller would have gone to the trouble of adding the bridge or engraving it he would have done more to point this out in his description. I would not be surprised if it came from the factory exactly like this.

Chris,

I'm with Phil on this one. Look in your Hampden Watch Co. book and you'll notice 12s watches with the same bridge marked Three or Five positions. The font looks the same as on the auction example marked Four Positions. This variant would make a nice addition to your Aviator collection.

RR

Ebay image of movement Adjusted Five Postions

Good points. I'm still going to pass this time, though. It's a 19j, which I already have an example of and the position marking isn't enough to capture my imagination... at least at the price it appears to be headed for at the close of the auction.

Thanks Chris for not going after this one. I picked it up for less than I thought it would go for considering the condition. I especially like the unusual dial and hand combination.

With regard to the adjustment markings, I'll take some close ups of the area when I get it. Should be obvious under high magnification if this "FOUR" was added at a later date. I have an Illinois that is marked adjusted to four positions, a variant that is not in the Illinois Blue Bible, so I think it is the real deal.

Very cool! I'm glad someone here picked it up. I just couldn't justify that price when I already have very nice 17 and 19j versions. Do post some new pix when you get it...

For what it's worth, my watch guy just got done overhauling my 19j Aviator (the 17j doesn't need an overhaul just yet) and he was absolutely delighted with the watch. "This is really a finely made little watch. I've never worked on one before. You're lucky to have this one." that's very high praise coming from him.

Agreed. I really think that a lot of the Hampden criticism comes down to snobbery. Most of it seems to come from hardcore Illinois and Hamilton collectors.

My watch guy specializes in American railroad watches, and he's been working on them for the better part of the last 30 years. He had never seen an Aviator before (a testament to their rarity) and given his generally jaded attitude towards the typical 992s, BW. Raymonds and so forth, the fact that he really called out this particular watch as finely made and a real joy to work on means a lot. I'm glad I invested in two examples of the Aviator. The one referenced in this thread would have been a nice addition to my collection, but the two I already have are very cool none the less.