Description
Appears to be a womans locket/watch. It is gold,heavy, intricately engraved on both sides. It is the type of pocketwatch that has a lid that closes over the watch face. The case is in excellent shape. The watch on the other hand is not. The crystal is missing. The face is cracked, and has a chip missing out of it.The locking ring that holds the watchworks is off, but I have it. The locket was wore as a decortive piece, an the timepiece inside suffered for it.
Re: antique gold Hamgden Dueber womans locket/watch
Interesting watch, I believe you will find that it's HamPden Dueber though. (P not G). Double check as fakes of watches do exist and they typically get around some of the laws by 'misspelling' the name.
This company mass produced watches as well as better versions such as 'railroad' watches (highly accurate!). They did use 14 carrot gold watch cases.
Inside the back case should be a serial number. You can match it at this site to get the age:
http://www.pocketwatchsite.com/hampdenserials.html
or here
http://www.pocketwatchrepair.com/histories/hampden.html
(gives some history too!)
Finally this site has an interesting story about identifying the original owner of the watch. You might be able to find the records some where as to who bought the watch at first, but it will take some digging. At least you know that they kept that kind of record before they closed!
http://collecting-jewelry-metalware.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_dueber…
Running versions of this type of watch sell for about $200. If it needs repairs, you are probably looking at less than half that though. Check to see how much it would cost to get it repaired. It would sell better then so it might be worth your while to get it fixed first!
I just responded to another pocket watch so you might want to peruse the answer I gave there for some ideas of how to display it, if that is of interest to you.
Re: antique gold Hamgden Dueber womans locket/watch
Thank you so much for all your information! It looks like a g, but I understand it is actually supose to be a p. The case does appear to be gold. what is interesting, is that the craftsman actully signed it. It is quite small, an hard to see. I found it while trying to read the serial number on the case. That's where I got the idea for the date. I will look, an try to get the correct number, to get a better idea of its actual age. Thanx again for the assist. S.
Re: antique gold Hamgden Dueber womans locket/watch
No problem, happy to help!
If you have a signature on the design, you could have either a specialty watch (one of) that was commissioned to be painted (very expensive) or a high end production watch (made in low numbers = higher cost).
Rather like in porcelain, where the manufacturers commissioned artists to decorate the vases and plates etc.
In either case it indicates a higher end watch, unless it's a knock off (and they exist, sadly, because the real ones are so pricey).