Men’s 1891 Hampden RR Hunter Case Pocket Watch

First there was Don. J. Mozart who, in the Civil War era, produced his horologically significant three-wheel watch. Then there was the prolific New York Watch Company and finally, Hampden Watch Company of Canton, Ohio. By the late 19th century Hampden was competing quite effectively against the "Big Four": Elgin, Waltham, Illinois and Hamilton. Creators of some of the first high-grade watch movements of the day — designed specifically for railroad service — Hampden produced excellent timepieces that were not inexpensive. Known for their obsessive attention to detail, produced watches that were exciting, elegant and extraordinarily well-crafted. Their exceptional timepieces are well-respected by collectors to this day.

How could one resist the powerful elegance of such a man's watch! This large, 18 size hunter-case pocket watch by none other than the venerable Hampden Watch Company exudes class the likes of which we haven't seen in a hundred years. A gorgeous porcelain dial is highlighted by Roman numerals, an outer minutes "track." An oversized sub-seconds bit is micro-graduated; long elegantly blued hands gesture the time.

The watch is housed in what appears to be its original, solid yellow gold-filled, hand-carved case; outlined with majestic flourishes impossible to find duplicated today. Pocket watch case carving flourished through the latter half of the 19th century and into the first quarter of the 20th. Artisans flocked to the United States from around the work, eager to find a venue by which to earn a living and through which they could express their creative urges. For many, the artistic medium of choice was the pocket watch case.

These talented, anonymous artists worked throughout the day, quietly creating works of art on watch case after watch case, painstakingly carving freehand with hand tools on a graving ball. Taken for granted for nearly a century, these creations are finally being given the credit they deserve, as more collectors seek out watches based solely on the quality of their case carving.

Take a moment to admire the work of this artist: Starting with a smooth, heavy gold-filled case, he or she used a set of sharp graving tools to carefully carve a floral scene on the back. Note the different "brush strokes" of the artist: bold lines to outline the petals, tight lines for shading a half-a human hair apart — all to create a Victorian floral scene that, if on canvas, would be worth thousands.

The watch was specially made by the Hamden Watch Company as a "Dueber-Grade" for Adam Vogt, Jeweler, of Louisville, Kentucky. A prominent jeweler and business presence in his day, Mr. Vogt was known for his dedication to his craft and clients, often sleeping in his shop to keep up with demand. Looking at this work of horological art, we can see why he was so popular.

Unscrew this artist back and you'll find another work of art: a completely cleaned, oiled and calibrated 11 ruby jeweled movement, engineered by the remarkable minds of Hampden. With its fancy regulator, compensated balance and precision milling, it struck fear in the Swiss watchmakers of the day — most of whom were still locked in a cottage industry that could not approach the precision of the American watches of the period. During the latter part of the 19th century, if one wanted a precision timepiece that could be easily repaired and regulated, one purchased American. This example illuminates why. Please take a moment to admire this movement, as it is magnificent.

If you're looking for a watch to carry and admire while being admired; or, you're searching for a gift to reflect the generosity of the giver, this may be for you. We are happy to include a hardwood watch "keep," designed to display the watch on a desk or mantel.