Hampden Special Railway 16-size pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1915
This open face pocket watch was produced by the Hampden Watch Company and is dated by the dealer to circa 1915. According to the seller, it houses a 16-size nickel bridge movement decorated with damascening and fitted with 23 jewels, raised gold settings, a micrometer regulator, and a lever escapement.
The movement is reported to be stem-wound, lever-set, and adjusted to five positions. The open face white gold-plated case measures 48 mm in diameter with carved edges and engine turning. The visible double-sunk white enamel dial features bold Arabic hour numerals, red outer five-minute markings, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Open-face railroad pocket watch
- Case material
- White gold plated
- Place recorded
- United States
- Case dimensions
- 48mm wide x 13mm deep
- Dial description
- Double sunk white enamel
- Movement signature
- HWC Canton O, 23 Jewels, Special Railway, Adjusted to 5 positions
- Maker / attribution
- Hampden Watch Company
- Winding and setting
- Stem wound / lever set
- Movement serial number
- 3327334
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial signed 'HAMPDEN' with double-sunk construction. • Bold stylized Arabic hour numerals with an outer minute track accented by red numbers at five-minute intervals. • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands, with a blued steel pointer on the subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. • Open face metal case with foliate-carved bezel decoration, fluted crown, and an angular pierced bow.
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- The pocket watch displays a double-sunk white enamel dial signed "Hampden" in capitalized lettering. The hour track is composed of bold stylized Arabic numerals surrounded by an outer minute track accented with red numerals at five-minute intervals. A subsidiary seconds dial is sunk at the 6 o'clock position. Visible time indication is provided by blued steel spade hour and minute hands, along with a blued steel pointer on the subsidiary seconds register. The open-face housing features a foliate-carved bezel framing the mineral glass crystal, an angular pierced bow, and a fluted crown at 12 o'clock.
- Reported Movement Specifications
- According to the seller's description, the watch houses a 16-size nickel bridge movement fitted with a lever escapement, a micrometer regulator, and raised gold jewel settings, including a large gold cap on the mainspring barrel. The listing notes that the movement is decorated with damascening and incorporates 23 jewels. The movement is reported to operate via stem winding and lever setting. The seller records the movement signature as "HWC Canton O, 23 Jewels, Special Railway, Adjusted to 5 positions" alongside serial number 3327334, though the movement itself is not depicted in the listing's photograph.
- Case Construction and Documentation Limits
- The case is described in the source as a white gold-plated open-face case featuring a screw-off back and bezel, with carved edges and engine turning. Dimensions reported by the dealer are 48 mm in width and 13 mm in depth. Because only a single direct front-facing photograph is provided, internal case hallmarks, the case back's engine-turned surface, and movement details are not visible for independent verification. Furthermore, the circa 1915 production date reflects the dealer's title listing rather than verified archival records.
Identification
- Serial number
- 3327334
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement condition, jewel count, damascening, and serial number are not visible in the provided image and rely entirely on the dealer's description.
- Research required: Internal hallmarks, gold plating specifications, and case back condition are unverified visually.