Hampden - "The world's Greatest Watch Works" 

HAMPDEN 
Art Deco 
Lever Set
DIADEM
 
RARE! This is an unique timepiece, a vintage Hampden lever set wristwatch dated from 1910s. It is a manual wind watch with a Hampden lever set movement caliber grade Diadem, model 3, size 3/0s, 15 jewels, sub-second, U.S.A. made. 
 
Diadem was used as a trade name on watch movements manufactured by Hampden Watch Co. The movement was designed and patented by the Hampden Watch Company in the early 1900s. Thanks to their precision and durability, they were considered one of the most accurate movements of their time. Diadem movement featured a unique balance wheel and hairspring design that helped to minimize the effects of temperature changes on the accuracy of the watch.
 
It still has the original white dial with bold Roman Numerals, bold minute track and blue steel matching hands. The sub-second is located at 6 o'clock position. The dial is also signed with the Hampden name on top. 
 
Cased in an antique 30.8mm round open face (lever set through the bezel) case with art deco engraved on the sides and lugs, base metal. 

It comes on a black brand-new genuine leather two-piece strap signed Hadley-Roma.  
 
After 110 years, it is still in very good condition, runs very well, keeps great time! 

Thank you for looking!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.   

Movement:  
DIADEM  
Canton, OH   
1348864

Case Back Signed: 
Base Metal 

Measurements (mm): 
Case 30.8 
Case w/Crown 34.2  
Case Lug to Lug 37.6  
Case Thickness 10.7 
Lug Width 16   
Band Width 16    

About HAMPDEN Watch Co.  
 
Hampden Watch Co. an American watch manufacturer located in Springfield, Massachusetts and Canton, Ohio, manufactured timepieces from approximately 1877 to 1927.
 
In 1866, Donald J. Mozart founded the Mozart Watch Company in Providence, Rhode Island, to manufacture timepieces. The company failed very soon and in 1867 Donald had to reorganize the firm as the New York Watch Company with production facilities in Springfield, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, three years later, the factory burnt to the ground. Finally, in 1877, the company reopened, now doing business as the Hampden Watch Company.  
 
Dueber Watch Case Company, located in Newport, Kentucky and founded by John C. Dueber in 1864 -to manufacture cases for fine watches-, manufactured cases that held the internal workings of Hampden watches. In 1886, Dueber purchased a controlling interest in the Hampden Watch Company. One of the first Dueber's strategies was to relocate both companies (Hampden Watch Company and Dueber Watch Case Company) to Canton, Ohio. Now, the two companies share manufacturing facilities, and the Dueber Watch Case Company now produces cases for the watches that the Hampden Watch Company manufactured. 
 
By 1890, the company was producing quality watches, and introduced the first size 16, 23 jewel movement made in America.  
 
Finally, in 1923, the two companies formally united together and became known as the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company. During the late 1800's and the early 1900's, the company was an important employer in Canton, employing at first around 2,300 Canton residents, around 10% of the city's population. Thanks to Dueber-Hampden Watch Company, Canton became an important center of watch manufacturing in the US.  
 
In 1925, Dueber -who controlled all aspects of the company- sold the company to Walter Vrettman. Unfortunately, in 1927, falling sales, the company went to bankrupt and finally ceasing operations in the city in 1930 when Amtorg Trading Corporation purchased the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company together with the manufacturing equipment, parts on hand and work in progress, and move everything to Russia -including 21 former Dueber-Hampden employees to teach the Russians the craft of watchmaking- and build a new factory, the First State Watch Factory in Moscow.  

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size. 

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that. 

The condition is pre-owned. 
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended. 
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.  

It will be carefully packed. 

Please view our other listings. 
Thank you for looking!  

WA-4178