Also called: Dueber-Hampden Watch Company
Including Dueber-Hampden Watch Serial Numbers and Production Dates
Springfield, Mass then Canton, Ohio
This Pocket Watch Case is a Double Hinged Open Face Case made by Dueber Watch Case Compay. The inside case lid is st amped “Dueber – Silverine – Canton, Ohio” and it serial numbered #55618. This case is a plain polished case in great condition with no dents. Watch in Perfect working condition, case in nice condition. Hinges ok, all lids open and shut well,also lid opening crown button working fine. Full hunter case in perfect condition. Original enamel dial in mint condition,no hairlines or crack. Original blued hands in nice condition. Also glass in good condition. Watch Size: 41.2 mm without crown, 61.9 mm with crown and bow watch weight 59. Dueber founded the Dueber Watch Case Company in Cincinnati, Ohio to manufacture cases for fine watches. In 1886, Dueber, who had been making cases for the Hampden Watch Company, purchased a controlling interest in the company. About this time an anti-trust law was passed and the watch case manufacturers formed a boycott against.
1877 - 1930
Donald J. Mozart produced his three-wheel watch in 1864, and with the assistance of Samuel Rice formed the New York Watch Company in 1866 in Providence, Rhode Island. It was moved to Springfield, Massachusetts in 1867 and two grades of watches were produced. The company started with an 18s 3/4 plate model signed 'Springfield.' and a 16s 3/4 plate 'State Street' model that featured steel parts and gold-plated balance and escape wheels. The company became the Hampden Watch Company in 1877.
Dueber-Hampden Advertisement
John C. Dueber had been manufacturing watch cases since 1864 and bought controlling interest in a case company in about 1886. At about this time an anti-trust law was passed and the watch case manufacturers formed a boycott against Dueber. In order to remain in business, Dueber bought the Hampden Watch Co. in Springfield in 1888, then moved it to Canton. By 1890, the company was producing 600 watches a day, had 1000 employees, and possessed net assets of $2,600,000. Hampden produced some very fine quality watches, and introduced the first 16 size, 23 jewel movement made in America.
Dueber controlled all aspects of the company from manufacturing to sales. Dueber sold the company to Walter Vrettman in 1925. Vrettman went bankrupt in 1927 and sold all of the company's equipment to Amtorg, a Russian purchasing company. Nearly 30 boxcars of machinery left Canton in 1931 with 21 former Dueber Hampden employees who contracted for one year to teach the Russians the craft of watchmaking. Conflicting information exists about the fate of the Russian enterprise, but Henry Fried, a horology professor at New York University, reported seeing Dueber-Hampden machinery being used in China in 1986.
Dueber Pocket Watch Case Serial Number Identification
Hampden / Dueber Watch Company
Total Production: Approx. 4.6 Million Watches
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1877 | 59,000 |
| 1878 | 70,000 |
| 1879 | 100,000 |
| 1880 | 140,000 |
| 1881 | 180,000 |
| 1882 | 215,000 |
| 1883 | 250,000 |
| 1884 | 300,000 |
| 1885 | 350,000 |
| 1886 | 400,000 |
| 1887 | 480,000 |
| 1888 | 560,000 |
| 1889 | 640,000 |
| 1890 | 740,000 |
| 1891 | 805,000 |
| 1892 | 835,000 |
| 1893 | 865,000 |
| 1894 | 900,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1895 | 930,000 |
| 1896 | 970,000 |
| 1897 | 1,000,000 |
| 1898 | 1,120,000 |
| 1899 | 1,255,000 |
| 1900 | 1,384,000 |
| 1901 | 1,512,000 |
| 1902 | 1,642,000 |
| 1903 | 1,768,000 |
| 1904 | 1,896,000 |
| 1905 | 2,024,000 |
| 1906 | 2,152,000 |
| 1907 | 2,280,000 |
| 1908 | 2,400,000 |
| 1909 | 2,520,000 |
| 1910 | 2,650,000 |
| 1911 | 2,700,000 |
| 1912 | 2,760,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1913 | 2,850,000 |
| 1914 | 2,920,000 |
| 1915 | 3,000,000 |
| 1916 | 3,100,000 |
| 1917 | 3,240,000 |
| 1918 | 3,390,000 |
| 1919 | 3,500,000 |
| 1920 | 3,600,000 |
| 1921 | 3,700,000 |
| 1922 | 3,750,000 |
| 1923 | 3,800,000 |
| 1924 | 3,850,000 |
| 1925 | 3,900,000 |
| 1926 | 3,950,000 |
| 1927 | 3,980,000 |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| - | - |
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement (the works) of the watch. Do not use the serial number from the watch case.
Can’t find your serial number in the table? Click here for an explanation and example of how to use our serial number tables.
Dueber Pocket Watch Case Serial Number
Need help finding the serial number on your watch? Click here for instructions on how to identify and open most common case types.
Dueber Pocket Watch Case Serial Number Lookup
At Renaissance Watch Repair, we are experts in the repair and restoration of Dueber and Hampden watches. Please contact us if you have any questions about the repair of your vintage Hampden watch.