Another post discussed our dearth of Hampden discussions and I promised top show this Hampden made in 1878 during the "reign" of James Abbe when I was done with it after cleaning. Before . . .

After cleanup, the movement looked "factory new" . . .

And of course its always hard to beat a 3 ounce coin silver case . . .

All in All a really nice 130 year "new" Hampden "Hayward" model

Hey David,
Very nice job.
I'm curious,Is this your watch? I have one just like it and,while I do my own repair work,I really don't know how to get that "new" look to the plates.

Cecil, Yes it is part of my Hampden Collection.

As for cleaning the plates, with the exception of screwed in Hole Jewels, EVERYTHING comes off the plates. Then I do an Alcohol*/Toothbrush plate wash to remove the organic stuff and a 15-18 minute spin clean with L&R "extra fine" Watch Cleaning solution, 5 minutes in L&R #3 rinse, dry and a complete plate wipe-down with clean Rodico. By that time anything that is "gonna come off came off"
*Printer's pure 100% isopropyl Aclohol cleaner is good for this

ABRASIVE STUFF OF ANY KIND IS A NO-NO

btw, some of the early cleaners actually dulled the plate finish, God knows what that stuff was, but I think it is only used in the Gas Chamber now.