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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Hampden Watch Co. Grade No. 65 18s Lever Set Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch by the Hampden Watch Co. features a size 18s manual-wind movement, grade No. 65, equipped with 11 jewels and a safety pinion. Sourced to 1904 based on movement serial number 1937672, the lever-set timepiece is housed in a 55.3 mm nickel case signed by the Illinois Watch Case Co. Elgin U.S.A. The white dial displays Arabic numerals, a recessed subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock, blued spade-style hands, and a script signature reading Hampden Watch Co.

Front view of the Hampden 18s pocket watch displaying dial cracks, blued spade hands, and a ribbed bezel
Front view of the Hampden 18s pocket watch displaying dial cracks, blued spade hands, and a ribbed bezel — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hampden Watch Co.
Reference
Grade No. 65
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-0689
Source-reported date
1904
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
1937672

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

Dial and Hands

The timepiece features an open-face white dial displaying bold Arabic numerals, outer minute markings, and a script signature reading "Hampden Watch Co.". A subsidiary seconds register is situated at the 6 o'clock position.

Visual observation and the listing description confirm blued steel spade hands and a matching subsidiary seconds hand. Notable condition flaws include visible hairline cracks radiating across the dial center, along with crystal edge chips identified at 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “bold Arabic Numerals, bold minute marks and matching hands. The sub second is located at 6. The dial is signed "Hampden Watch Co."”
  • “White dial with visible hairline cracks radiating across the center.”
  • “Blued steel spade hands and a small blued sub-seconds hand at 6 o'clock.”
  • “The crystal has two chips- one at 6 o'clock, and one minor at 10 o'clock.”

Case Architecture and Markings

The watch is housed in an open-face nickel case measuring 55.3 mm across, 71.8 mm including the crown, and 22.3 mm in thickness. The exterior features ribbed or coin-edge fluting around the bezel, with an onion-style crown located beneath a rounded bow at 12 o'clock.

According to the seller's transcriptions, the case back is signed "Illinois Watch Case Co. Nikel Elgin U.S.A. 253902", though the case interior and back are not visible in the provided catalog photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cased in a 55.3mm round case and beautifully engraved sides, all in Nikel.”
  • “Case w/Crown 71.8 Case Thickness 22.3”
  • “Coin-edge or ribbed fluting pattern around the bezel circumference.”
  • “Grooved onion-style winding crown positioned below the round bow at 12 o'clock.”
  • “Illinois Watch Case Co. Nikel Elgin U.S.A. 253902”

Reported Movement Details and Dating

The movement is identified by the seller as an 18-size manual-wind caliber grade No. 65 with 11 jewels, operating via a lever-setting mechanism. The seller notes that time setting requires pulling out an adjustment lever.

Reported movement markings read "Hampden Watch Co. Canton, OH 1937672 Safety Pinion". The seller assigns a circa-1904 production date based on this serial number (1937672), although internal movement markings cannot be directly verified from the single exterior photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “original Hampden Watch Co. movement caliber grade No. 65, size 18s, 11 jewels movement, U.S.A. made. This is a lever set watch, so you pull out a lever to set the time.”
  • “Movement: Hampden Watch Co. Canton, OH 1937672 Safety Pinion”
  • “The movement serial number indicates that this watch is dated from 1904.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct inspection of the movement plate corroborate the reported Grade No. 65 designation, 11 jewels, and serial number 1937672?
  • Is the Illinois Watch Case Co. nickel case original to the initial sale of this Hampden movement or a subsequent recasing?
  • Do the hairline cracks across the enamel dial threaten structural loss of material upon removal of the bezel or crystal?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hampden Watch Co. Grade No. 65 18s Lever Set Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeGrade No. 65“original Hampden Watch Co. movement caliber grade No. 65”
Size18s“size 18s”
Jewel Count11 jewels“11 jewels movement”
Movement Serial1937672“Hampden Watch Co. Canton, OH 1937672 Safety Pinion”
Case SignatureIllinois Watch Case Co. Nikel Elgin U.S.A. 253902“Illinois Watch Case Co. Nikel Elgin U.S.A. 253902”
Case Diameter55.3 mm“Cased in a 55.3mm round case”
Case Diameter with Crown71.8 mm“Case w/Crown 71.8”
Case Thickness22.3 mm“Case Thickness 22.3”
Case Inscription Serial253902“Illinois Watch Case Co. Nikel Elgin U.S.A. 253902”
Crystal FlawsTwo chips: one at 6 o'clock and one minor chip at 10 o'clock“The crystal has two chips- one at 6 o'clock, and one minor at 10 o'clock.”

Visible details

  • White dial with visible hairline cracks radiating across the center.
  • Small edge chips visible along the crystal perimeter near 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel spade hands and a small blued sub-seconds hand at 6 o'clock.
  • Coin-edge or ribbed fluting pattern around the bezel circumference.
  • Grooved onion-style winding crown positioned below the round bow at 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement condition, case back exterior, and inner case markings are not depicted in the provided photograph.
  • The wooden pocket watch stand shown in the photograph is not included with the piece.

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

Consulted source

1904 HAMPDEN Watch Co. Pocket Watch 18s Grade No. 65 11 Jewels Lever S – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2301277b6a

Terms in this record

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

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