Very Good
Very little wear to metal or gemstones including minute chips and abrasions.
Purple Creek has professionally inspected, restored and cleaned this piece of fine jewelry. Our expert metalsmiths have approved this item as ready for the next generation of ownership.
Photos are of the actual item being sold.
Estate jewelry may contain very minor to minor markings due to age and wear. While we represent items accurately on our site to the best of our ability, the color calibration of computer monitors can vary, causing colors to appear slightly different from one monitor to another. Due to this, please note that precise color representation of metal and gemstones is not always possible.
Authentication
This item has been inspected and evaluated by our team of Metalsmiths, Jewelry Appraisers and Gemologists using strict industry standards for diamonds, colored gemstones and precious metals.
Mountings may prohibit full and accurate observation of gem quality and weight, all data pertaining to mounted gems can be considered as approximate unless accompanied by an independent laboratory (ex. AGL, GIA). Unless otherwise stated, all colored stones and pearls are assumed to be subject to industry standards of acceptable treatments, by gemstone miners and producers, of relatively stable and possibly undetected color and/or clarity enhancement.
Shipping and Returns
This item can be returned for credit card refund.
Return Authorization requests must be made within 14 days of shipment and the item must be returned within 21 days of original shipment with security tag intact on the item as received.
See the Return Policy for more details.
Hampden
In the heart of 19th-century America, where the clatter of horse hooves echoed and the scent of industrial revolution lingered, the world of horology was about to witness a revolution. Amidst this backdrop, the name 'Hampden' began to resonate.
Emerging from the ashes of the New York Watch Co. in 1877, the Hampden Watch Co. embarked on a journey that would see them craft over three and a half million timepieces, only to be silenced by the looming shadow of the Great Depression.
But behind this brand was a visionary: John C. Dueber. In the vibrant 1860s of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dueber laid the foundation of a watch case company. Sensing the winds of change in the 1880s and the threats from the Watch Trust, he strategically merged with Hampden. This union birthed the Dueber-Hampden Watch Co., now anchored in Canton, Ohio.
Hampden's journey was marked by innovation and a keen sense of market needs. In 1891, they launched an advertising campaign for their 17-jewel watches, at a time when most high-grade watches had only 15 jewels. This move not only set them apart but also initiated a trend, pushing other manufacturers towards producing 21, 23, and even 26 jewel watches.
Their bond with the railways was legendary. The name "Railway" wasn't just a grade; it was a testament to their precision and reliability. This association became so strong that when other companies tried to use similar names, Dueber-Hampden won a lawsuit, asserting their right to the term.
As the years rolled on, their advertisements painted the nation's magazines, introducing the world to the "Watchman" - a symbol of Hampden's unwavering commitment to time. Their collection was vast, from the intricate No. 104 to the Wm. McKinley Grade, a tribute to a fallen president and Canton's pride.
Yet, even legends face trials. The 1920s saw their sales wane, leading to a heartbreaking receivership in 1927. By 1930, their machines, once the heart of their operations, found a new home in Russia.
But legends never truly fade. Hampden's legacy, encapsulated in their masterpieces, remains a beacon of an era where art met precision. Today, they stand as timeless relics, celebrated by collectors and horology aficionados, echoing America's golden age of watchmaking.
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