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The Encyclopedia of Horology

High-grade lever pocket watch movement · United States

Hampden 'Special Railway' Grade Movements

Needs research

Hampden's premium railroad-oriented grades illustrate the competitive American railroad-watch market of the period; the company's movements were also used by some watches sold under other retailer names, so movement signatures should be checked directly rather than assumed from case markings.

Technical facts

Escapement
Lever, adjusted to temperature and position in top grades
Setting
Lever-set in examples built to railroad specification

Historical significance

  • Hampden's premium railroad-oriented grades illustrate the competitive American railroad-watch market of the period; the company's movements were also used by some watches sold under other retailer names, so movement signatures should be checked directly rather than assumed from case markings.

Sources & references

  1. NAWCC Bulletin, articles on Hampden Watch Company history and grades

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.