Hampden 12S 15J pin set (PS) Gen'l Stark pocket watch #1855425, handsome nickel split plate movement with screw-down jewel settings, a fancy plate layout and a fancy concentric circle damascene pattern, single sunk (SS) porcelain enamel dial with bold fancy Arabic numbers, red Arabic 5 minute markers, a black-marked subsidiary seconds register and "Hampden" in red, dial has a number of short faint hairlines, blue steel spade style hands, heavy yellow gold filled (YGF) smooth polish hinge back & bezel (HB&B) case with a floral engraved monogram shield on the lower half, monogram is possibly "BH", tapered bezels, a depress shoulder for the pin setting button at 1 o'clock on the frame, a French style bow, an inscription from 1908 on the dust cover and an insert in the back cover of a woman's photograph, case is showing moderate to heavy wear with some notable small spots of brass on all elements of the case along with some smoothing to the monogram shield engraving, measures approx. 47mm in diameter x 65mm in length x 14mm thick (crystal included). A nice Hampden dress watch from the early 1900s with the uncommon photograph insert in very good overall condition!
- Year Made: 1903-1904
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Company:
Hampden
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Movement Size:
0712S
- Jewels: 1315J
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Setting/Movement Type:
pin set
- Model/Grade: Gen'l Stark
- Serial #: 1855425
- Movement Finish: nickel
- Movement Details: fancy plate layout, screw-down jewel settings
- Dial Material: porcelain enamel
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Hand Style:
spade
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Case Style:
HB&B
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Case Material:
Gold Filled - Yellow
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Case Details:
inscription, monogram, French bow, photograph insert
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Case Width/Diameter:
47mm (1.85 inches)
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Case Length, bow included:
65mm (2.56 inches)
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Case Thickness:
14mm (0.55 inches)
- Crystal Material: plastic
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Condition:
Very Good
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Gender:
Unisex
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 November 18th, 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.
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.
