Links to other sites for additional information:ġ By the early-1890's new watches entering railroad service were required to be adjusted to isochronism, temperature and position on a growing number of railroads that required watch inspection. Hampden Production Dates by Serial Number 1877 - 59,000 Some New York watch movements were apparently completed later by Hampden. The serial number being referred to is the serial number on the movement of the watch, not the case. Note: These are approximate dates, actual dates may vary by years. The 18-size, 15-jewel Railway grade was discontinued with the introduction of the new 17-jewel line. 63 (open Face) 17-jewel adjusted to temperature 1. 68 (open Face), all 17-jewel adjusted to temperature and positions. The 18-size, 17-jewel Special Railway grade and 18-size, 17-jewel New Railway grade were part of the new group of watches introduced in the 1891 advertising campaign, both were advertised as adjusted to temperature and six positions, available as open face or hunting, and 'particularly desirable and specially recommended to meet the requirements of the railway service.' This line also included the Anchor grade (hunting or open face), No. In 1891, Hampden created an advertising campaign for their new line of 17-jewel watches that lasted for years.

Hampden was the first to mass produce and heavily promote 17-jewel watches. Although higher-jeweled watches had been available for decades, most high grade watches only had 15 jewels.

Hampden pocket watch serial number