CLINTON Watch Co.

To talk about Clinton Watch Co., we should start talking about the Wein family, a Russian family, formally Weinzieher. They emigrated to the US. "Hersh Wein had a large family that would diverge and go on to form important branches of the North American watch industry." In 1904, the foundations were established with the formation of Weinstrum Watches -later, the authorized dealership of Abra Swiss Watches- In New York City. Then, the company would be known as Wein Brothers. Later, the business was running by Hersh's sons and sons-in-law, which caused family problems and this ended in the separation of the family and the company.

One of the Hersh's son, Hyman Wein, born in 1888 in the city of Kiev, Russia -today, Kiev the capital of the Ukraine-. In 1922, Hyman emigrated to the US with his wife Susan and founded the Clinton Watch Company in Chicago, Illinois, the company was a watch designers and compilers, bringing-in movement, dials and cases and assembling them in their workshops.

In the late 1930's, the company began a watch repair school for immigrants, disabled and war veterans. Alfred Blum, one of the Clinton's workers, well known in Chicago as "The German Watchmaker", taught there on a voluntary basis for two years after his work day with Clinton.

Irving L. Wein, Hyman's son, after finishing his education, Irving joined the family business and around 1960's, he established Josan S.A. Company in Neuchatel, Switzerland. He assembled watches there for the next 20 years. Around the 1980's, he opened a watch factory in St. Croix, (later the name become a Hampden Corp. brand) in the US Virgin Isles.

In 1981, Clinton Watch Company acquired Wells Benrus Corporation and changed its name to Benrus. In 1995, Benrus was sold to Bernie Mermelstein of M.Z. Berger & Company. Thus, Clinton had to change the name again, this time to it's current one, Hampden Corporation.

"The third generation, Joseph H. Wein, took over the business when his father died in 1002, continuing his family's ownership of the Hampden name."

CLINTON
17 Jewels
Tank Case & Fancy Lugs
Ruby & Diamond Dial

This super unique timepiece is a vintage Clinton wristwatch dated from the 1940s.
 
It is a manual wind watch with an original Clinton Watch Co. movement, 17 jewels, sub-second, unadjusted, Swiss made.
 
Still in lovely condition, the stunning champagne dial beautifully decorated with rubies and diamonds to highlight the hour marks. The dial also features bold minute/second track and gold matching hands. The sub-second is located at 6 o’clock with a blue steel hand. The dial is also signed with the Clinton name/logo.
 
Cased in a 21.8x25mm rectangle case with fancy lug design, stainless-steel back. This watch comes on a vintage black two-piece leather strap.

This watch is a perfect collector's item, it is in good condition! Runs very well, keeps good time!

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

Movement:
Clinton Watch Co.
17 Seventeen Jewels
Unadjusted
Swiss

Case Back Markings:
Master
Stainless Steel Back

Measurements (mm):
Case 21.8X25
Case w/Crown 23
Case Lug to Lug 35.4
Case Thickness 8
Lug Width 16
Band Width 16

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 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-3450