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 Wristwatch
"Ruby & Diamond Dial"
17 Jewels

From the "Retro Modern: The Decade After the War". When the war was over and, designers returned to their drawing boards and to happy task of satisfying the pent up demand for consumer products. Even though, some designers returned to the quiet subtlety thirties, but more typically the period is symbolized by the flashy, jewel-encrusted and highly ornamented.

This GORGEOUS timepiece, a vintage Clinton wristwatch dated from the 1940's. It is a manual wind watch with a Clinton movement, 17 jewels, sub second, Swiss made.

It is a tonneau case with stepped bezel and fancy lugs design; 10K rolled gold plated bezel and stainless steel back.

After 80 years, it still has the STUNNING and original champagne dial red rubies and sparkling diamonds, Arabic Numerals and dots (with the diamonds) as hour marks, bold minute marks and matching hands. The sub dial is located at 6. Also, the dial is signed with the Clinton name and "17 Jewels".

This watch is coming with a vintage brown two-pieces leather strap. It is a very good looking wristwatch.

It is still an unique watch, it is in LOVELY condition, keeps good time and runs very well.

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

Movement:
Clinton Watch Co.
17 Jewels
Unadjusted
Swiss

Case Back Signed:
Base Metal
10K R.G.P. Bezel
Stainless Back

Measures (mm):
Case 24 x 27
Case Lug to Lug 36
Case Thickness 10
Lug Width 16
Band Width 15

Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men's watches typically measure between 29-36mm (some larger, some smaller) wide 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 somewhat smaller than today’s offerings in many cases. 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 light, 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.
See all the photos, feel free to ask questions if you have any.

It will be carefully packed.

Check out my other items listed.
Thanks for looking!

WA-1724