Unique Hampden American Pocket Watch, 1889. Gold Plated and Engraved. Running

Antique and valuable North American pocket watch, made by Hampden Watch Company in 1889. The watch is in excellent condition and is made of gold-plated metal, with a lovely engraved decoration embellishing its whole outside. The New York Watch Company was founded by Donald J. Mozart and Samuel Rice in 1864 in Providence, Rhode Island. Some years after it was moved to Springfield, Massachussets, and in 1877 it changed its name to Hampden Watch Company. In 1888 John C. Dueber bought the company and moved it to Canton, Ohio. Later the firm went through different sales, bankruptcies and changes of location until it was eventually bought by Amtorg, a Russian company. From then on the information is somewhat confusing and contradictory, although a professor at New York University reported seeing Dueber-Hampden machinery being used in China in 1986.This particular watch is very antique but has survived to our days in excellent condition, being as beautiful as functional as the first day of use. Its front and rear caps bear delicate engravings depicting an idyllic landscape with two houses surrounded by architectural and floral-inspired motives. Instead of this landscape, the rear cap shows a flat surface designed to engrave the owners initials. We can see two elegant letters in it: KM. Under the front cap lays the watchs face, very stylish with its white background and elegant Roman numbers. The face is in great condition and has a subsidiary second hand; the needles are very attractive, straight and blue-enameled.Inside the front cap we can see a logo depicting a crowned scale, and just below lays the serial number: 1699452. The logo and the number appear again inside the rear cap, while the inner side of the dust cap bears the same number and another hallmark, this time a weight-shaped motive with the acronym CO engraved inside. Under the serial number there is another cipher, a 6. The movement is beautifully made and is signed - we can see the following inscriptions engraved in the metal: THE DUEBER WATCH CO. PAT PINION CANTON, OHIO. It also bears a serial number: 563997.This wonderful gold-plated watch is as antique as elegant. Its excellent working order turns it into a first-class piece that will fill its owner with pride.Measurements: Width: 42 mm. Height: 54 mm.