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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch

Hampden Railway 16-size 19-jewel pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an open-face railroad grade pocket watch attributed to the Hampden Watch Company, dating to circa 1915. According to the seller, it features a size 16 nickel bridge movement decorated with damascening, a lever escapement, micrometer regulator, and raised gold jewel settings with 19 jewels adjusted to five positions. The watch is stem-wound and lever-set, measuring 50 mm in width and 13 mm in depth. It is housed in a stainless steel open-face case featuring carved edges, light spun engine turning, a screw-off back, and a screw bezel. The white enamel Montgomery dial is double-sunk with blued steel hands, continuous outer minute markings from 1 to 60, and a subsidiary seconds dial integrating the numeral 6.

Front view of Hampden open-face pocket watch showing Montgomery dial and blued steel hands
Front view of Hampden open-face pocket watch showing Montgomery dial and blued steel hands — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face railroad pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hampden Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.273 (AB-202761)
Source-reported date
c1915
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
3312753

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Movement and Identification

The watch is identified by the seller as a 16-size Hampden railroad grade movement, serial number 3312753. The movement features a lever escapement, micrometer regulator, and raised gold jewel settings, with a large gold cap on the mainspring barrel.

The movement is described as having 19 jewels, adjusted to five positions, and is decorated with damascening. It is signed “HWC Canton O, 19 Jewels, Railway, Adjusted to 5 positions”.

Evidence for this section
  • “the top quality nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement with a micrometer regulator with raised gold jewel settings including a large gold cap on the mainspring barrel.”
  • “signed “HWC Canton O, 19 Jewels, Railway, Adjusted to 5 positions” # 3312753.”

Dial and Exterior

The watch features a double-sunk white enamel Montgomery dial. The dial includes continuous Arabic numerals from 1 to 60, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial that integrates the numeral 6.

The movement is housed in an open-face stainless steel case with a screw-off back and bezel. The case exterior exhibits carved edges and light spun engine turning.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel Montgomery dial, is double sunk with a full set of continuous numbers from 1 to 60 and the correct 6 in the sub seconds dial”
  • “the movement comes in a stainless steel open face case, which has a screw off back and bezel. The case has carved edges and light spun engine turning”

Winding and Setting

The watch is configured as a stem-wound and lever-set timepiece.

The watch is fitted with mineral glass.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / lever set”
  • “The watch has a mineral glass”

Open research questions

  • Does serial number 3312753 correspond to documented Hampden production dates?
  • Can the adjustment to five positions be verified via physical inspection of movement markings?
  • Is the stainless steel case material original to this specific railroad grade movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hampden Railway 16-size 19-jewel pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement jewels and adjustment19 Jewels, Adjusted to 5 positions“signed “HWC Canton O, 19 Jewels, Railway, Adjusted to 5 positions” # 3312753.”
Movement serial number3312753“# 3312753.”
Case materialStainless steel“the movement comes in a stainless steel open face case”
Dial typeDouble sunk white enamel Montgomery dial“the white enamel Montgomery dial, is double sunk with a full set of continuous numbers from 1 to 60”
Dimensions50mm wide x 13mm deep“The watch measures 50mm wide x 13mm deep”
Winding and settingStem wound / lever set“The watch is stem wound / lever set”

Visible details

  • Open-face dial configuration with large bold Arabic hour numerals and blued steel hands.
  • Double-sunk white enamel dial featuring a Montgomery outer minute track numbered 1 through 60 in red and black ink.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock containing a distinctive large numeral 6.
  • Fluted bezel surrounding the crystal with a fluted winding crown and an angular bow.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details and serial number cannot be verified from the front-facing photograph and rely on the seller's description.
  • Case back and engine turning details are not visible in the supplied photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Superb 16 size 19 Jewel Hampden Railway pocket watch c1915 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record de9d197e3e

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other open-face railroad pocket watch records