Hampden 18S 17J lever set (LS) adj. pocket watch #908271, handsome nickel full plate movement with screw-down jewel settings, an engraved balance bridge and a fancy concentric circle damascene pattern, beautiful fancy white porcelain enamel dial with bold black Roman numerals accented with delicate gold filigree, an outer black printed minute marker register, a black-marked subsidiary seconds register, a black imitation double sunk (DS) line and a sliver & gold filigree design around the center post, dial has a small hairline near the edge at 4 o'clock but it otherwise mint, gold steel Louis XIV style hands.
Re-cased into a heavy yellow gold filled (YGF) fully engraved box-hinge hunting case (HC) with matching bold designs on both sides, vermicelli engraving on the lower cases and frame borders the bottom of a smooth polish arc in the center detailed with large flowers and rectangular elements, upper edges are finished with a distinctive scalloped pattern, one side has the monogram "GN" in the monogram shield while the reverse has a sailboat on a lake design, geometric engraving on the box hinges, a heavy bow and an inscription on the dust cover, case is showing light even wear with some light scratches on the dust cover near the edge from opening of the case along with some unusual tool marks near the inscription on the dust cover, possibly from an aborted attempt at an over print, measures approx. 54mm in diameter x 85mm in length x 17mm thick (crystal included). An impressive high grade Hampden that was considered a railroad grade at the time of its production in excellent+ overall condition!
- Year Made: 1895-1896
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Company:
Hampden
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Movement Size:
0318S
- Jewels: 1117J
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Setting/Movement Type:
lever set
- Adjustments: 1-3 positions
- Serial #: 908271
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Movement Details: hunting case movement (HCM), screw-down jewel settings
- Dial Material: fancy enamel
- Dial Color: white
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Dial Details:
imitation double sunk (DS) accent line, gold filigree accents, silver filigree accents
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Hand Style:
Louis XIV
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Case Style:
HC
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Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
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Case Details:
re-cased, inscription, "GN" monogram, box-hinges
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Case Width/Diameter:
54mm (2.13 inches)
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Case Length, bow included:
85mm (3.35 inches)
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Case Thickness:
17mm (0.67 inches)
- Crystal Material: plastic
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Condition:
Excellent +
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Gender:
Gentlemen's
The Hampden Watch Company was founded in in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1877, as a renamed continuation of the New York Watch Company that stopped production under that name in 1876. While the company produced a number of high quality lines, it was not until the purchase by the watch case maker John. C. Dueber, and moving of the company to Canton, Ohio in 1886, that the company was able to increase production to become one of the more prolific American watch companies of the time. When the company closed in 1927, they had produced almost 4 million watches.
As an additional resource, we've posted a
Serial Number Production List which includes information for Hampden serial numbers and dates of manufacture.
The NAWCC also has a
comprehensive article about the company; additional information may also be found on
Wikipedia.
This watch is in good running condition, unless otherwise noted in the description. This means that on receipt, pending any item-specific running conditions noted in the description, you can expect the watch to be winding and setting properly and to run smoothly while keeping reasonable time. We consider "reasonable time" to meet these basic guidelines:
- Railroad Grade Watches will be keeping +/- 5 minutes per day
- Pocket and Wrist Watches with 15 or more jewels will be keeping +/- 10 minutes per day
- All key wind watches and watches with 14 or fewer jewels will be keeping +/- 15 minutes per day
The above guideline is the lowest standard in which we would ship out a watch, however in most cases, you will see much better timekeeping. Most of our watches have been in storage for many years, so if you plan on carrying/wearing them everyday, you should consider having them cleaned and oiled soon, and then once a year thereafter to keep them in top running condition. If the watches will be for occasional use or display, they should be cleaned and serviced every 3 to 5 years depending on use.
As of October 27th, 2025, we are not offering a cleaning and service option through PM Time Service. While we do hope to offer this again in the future, we are unfortunately unable to meet customer requests for watch servicing at this time. Please note that, unless otherwise mentioned within the "Full Description" tab, this watch is being sold in good running condition and is ready to wear or carry on arrival.
This watch comes complete with an appropriate, intact plastic crystal; however, on request PM Time Service can replace the current crystal on this pocket watch for you. We offer a number of new and vintage crystal choices for pocket watches; you can select your desired choice from the dropdown menu below.
Please note that the average turnaround time for all pocket watch crystal replacements will be two days from the placement of the order.
Contact us with any further questions or for an estimate on any shipping delays.
Please note: if you add this watch with a crystal and/or band exchange option to your
shopping cart but later change your mind on the crystal and/or band selection type, you'll need to remove the watch from the cart in order to make a new selection. Once that is done, you can return to this page and add that new crystal and/or band combination to the cart. We apologize for the limitations to our system that prevent you from making that change within the shopping cart.
Unlike modern quartz watches, most vintage watches need daily winding in order to keep the watch functioning for timekeeping. Additionally, there are a number of different ways to set the time other than simply pulling the crown away from the watch body. We are happy to provide an overview of each of the different setting types on our
"How To Use" page, where we also provide information on proper winding techniques for each style and some suggestions for the proper long term care and storage of your watch.
For your gift giving convenience, please find a consolidated overview of the information on this item, with no reference to the price, on this
printer-optimized page.
