The Minute Man - Extremely Thin Model  - 12 Size  

One of the notable pocket watches produced by the company was "The Minute Man" watch. It was named after the iconic symbol of American patriotism, the Minutemen, who played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War. The name "Minute Man" evoked notions of precision, reliability, and American heritage. 

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "The Minute Man" pocket watches became more than just a timepiece, it was a symbol and reminder of America's revolutionary heritage and the values of freedom and independence. 

"Sworn to turn out at a minute's notice and dedicating their lives to an ideal that "all men are created free and equal" the sacrifice and devotion of those Minute Men of 1776 made history of which we are justly proud." 

DUBER-HAMPDEN  
"The Minute Man" 
Dress Pocket Watch 

"Hence what more fitting name than "The Minute Man" for a product typically and  proudly American-a credit to American design-an achievement of American Skill."

Dated from 1916, this is a piece of history, a vintage DUEBER-HAMPDEN dress pocket watch, model "The Minute Man". 
 
It is manual wind pocket watch with an original Hampden mechanical movement, grade " The Minute Man", 17 jewels, model 5, size 12s, adjusted, sub second hand, made in Canton, Ohio.    
 
Still has the original beautifully decorated two-tone  dial with bold Breguet Arabic Numerals, "railroad" minute track and blue steel matching hands. The sub second is located at 6 o'clock position. The dial is further adorned with a gold-tone engraved center decoration. The dial is also signed with Duber Hampden on top. 

Cased in a Dueber 43.6mm openface case, all in 14K white gold filled. The extremely thin case is pleasingly engraved. 

"The dependability of the "Minute Man" manifests itself by its accurate time-keeping qualities. The delicate and pleasing designs of this model lend to it a distinctive air of individuality." 

This is a great looking pocket watch, it is in good condition. It runs very well and keeps great time! 

*The pocket watch holder is not included with the purchase of this pocket watch.  

Thank you for looking!  Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or respectful offers.   

Movement:  
THE MINUTE MAN 
17 Jewels 
Canton, O  
3551997 

Case Markings:   
Gold Filled 14K 
DUEBER 
25 Years 
11199545 

Measurements (mm): 
Case 43.6  
Case w/Crown50.6   
Case Thickness 11 

HAMPDEN Watch Co.  

Hampden Watch Co. an American watch manufacturer located in Springfield, Massachusetts and Canton, Ohio, manufactured timepieces from approximately 1877 to 1927. 

In 1866, Donald J. Mozart founded the Mozart Watch Company in Providence, Rhode Island, to manufacture timepieces. The company failed very soon and in 1867 Donald has to reorganize the firm as the New York Watch Company with production facilities in Springfield, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, three years later, the factory burnt to the ground. Finally, in 1877, the company reopened, now doing business as the Hampden Watch Company.  

Dueber Watch Case Company, located in Newport, Kentucky and founded by John C. Dueber in 1864 -to manufacturer cases for fine watches-, manufactured cases that held the internal workings of Hampden watches. In 1886, Dueber purchased a controlling interest in the Hampden Watch Company. One of the first Dueber's strategies was to relocate both companies (Hampden Watch Company and Dueber Watch Case Company) to Canton, Ohio. Now, the two companies shared manufacturing facilities and the Dueber Watch Case Company produced now the cases for the watches that the Hampden Watch Company manufactured. 

By 1890, the company was producing quality watches, and introduced the first size 16, 23 jewel movement made in America.  

Finally, in 1923, the two companies formally united together and becoming known as the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company. During the lathe 1800's and the early 1900's, the company was an important employer in Canton, employing at first around 2,300 Canton residents, around 10% of the city's population. Thanks to Dueber-Hampden Watch Company, Canton became an important center of watch manufacturing in the US.  

In 1925, Dueber -who controlled all aspect of the company- sold the company to Walter Vrettman. Unfortunately, in 1927, falling sales, the company went to bankrupt and finally ceasing operations in the city in 1930 when Amtorg Trading Corporation purchased the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company together with the manufacturing equipment, parts on hand and work in progress, and move everything to Russia -including 21 former Dueber-Hampden employees to teach the Russians the craft of watchmaking- and build a new factory, the First State Watch Factory in Moscow.  

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size. 

We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that. 

The condition is pre-owned. 
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended. 
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.  

It will be carefully packed. 

Please view our other listings. 
Thank you for looking!  

WA-4036