Expert: Melvin Mills - 6/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: my father has a pocket watch that was passed down to him by his father. His father passed away in 1953, years ago, my father took the watch to a jewelers and had hoped to have the watch repaired, because it no longer runs, and they told him they couldn't repair the watch, basically they couldn't touch it because the watch was too valuable, and they wouldn't want to liable for any damage to it? that makes us curious...we would like to know the history, and possibly be referred to someone who may be able to give us an estimated value of the watch. The outside case
is pink-gold. The clock face says DUCBER HAMPDEN. It has two backs/covers on it. It says C.W.C.CO. Trade Mark
and the number 2118968 on the inside.
any info would be much appreciated...
Thank you.



ANSWER: Ms. Janice,

I don't know exactly what the problem would be in fixing it or attempting to fix it.  American pocket watch parts are generally easy to come by.  I work on them regularly.  I certainly do respect someone who feels that they are not qualified and therefore doesn't attempt to give it a try.  that said, I would suggest taking it to another watchmaker.  See if you can find someone local to work on it.  If that does not work, I will be happy to get it running.

About the value: of course with gold being close to $900/oz., all gold watches have increased in value.  Besides that, it depends on the quality of the movement.  If you can tell me what is written on the movement, I can give you more information.

Kind regards,

Melvin



Hampden Pocket Watches

1877- 1930

The predecessor of the Hampden Watch Company, the Mozart Watch Company, was formed by Don J. Mozart, in 1864, in Providence, Rhode Island. After many failures this company was reorganized and the name changed to the New York Watch Company and located in Springfield, Massachusetts in October, 1867. On April 20, 1870, the factory was destroyed by fire. After the factory was rebuilt and production resummed in January, 1877 the name was changed to the Hampden Watch Company. In 1886, it merged with the Dueber Watch Case Company and became the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company. John Dueber's Dueber Watch Case Company, of Newport, Kentucky, was selling cases to the Hampen Watch Company. John, on one of his business trips to Springfield, became so impressed with the Hampden Watch Company that he purchased a controlling interest. He tried enlarging the factory in Springfield but no solution could be found. He decided to combine the two factories and chose Canton, Ohio to build the new facility. By the spring of 1888, the building was completed and the watch factory at Springfield and the case factory at Newport were moved to Canton and merged into one. The watches produced in the Canton factory had the names Hampden Watch Company, the letters HWCO, John C. Dueber, Dueber. or the Dueber Watch Co., Canton, Ohio. In 1930 the watch factory, along with all tools and parts, was sold to Armen Hammer who moved it all to Russia, where it became known as the Amtorg Watch Co.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  I've been able to get a little more info...I know it was made in Canton, Ohio by the Dueber-Hampden watch co. the number on the movement of the watch is...3639895 - 108, it is a 17 Jewel...I'm not positive but i think that by looking up the sn#, I'm dating somewhere in the Early 1900's...possibly 1920, I would appreciate it if you can verify the sn#/date for me....When it comes to the value of the watch, do you think this watch would be worth repair? My father intends on passing it along to my only brother, so I doubt that he would sell it, but would at least like to know it's value...is the "Complete price Guide to Watches" the only way I can find the value of this watch?

thank you.. Janice

Answer
Ms. Janice,

The watch is dated around 1920.

"Complete price Guide to Watches" is an excellent resource.  Every watch enthusiast/collector uses it.

Another is to use ebay. Check the prices for similar Hampden, 17 jewel watches and see what they are going for.  That is truly the market value.

If it is worth it is a personal question.  Because of the sentimental value, you might be willing to pay double the replacement value. (not that I think that is what it will cost).
My point being is it is up to each person to decide.  I have had plenty of people fix watches that cost as much as  a new one because of the sentimental value.  Happens all the time.

You won't be able to get another watch as a family heirloom.  

Kind regards,

Melvin