JCK on Hampden’s Casecap: Reinventing Watch Personalization
JCK’s Karen Dybis wrote about the Casecap®, the patented caseback that lets owners engrave anything they want on a watch without losing the view of the movement.
“As part of the Chicago‑based brand’s revival, Hampden Watch has created a unique way for customers to personalize their timepieces—the newly patented Casecap, an interchangeable caseback engraved with handwriting, artwork, or anything else a client can imagine.”
Invented during the pandemic
JCK reports that the Casecap was invented during the pandemic, as Joe Wein and his son Daniel reworked the family business around personalization.
“Connecting to people’s personal stories is our mission… redefining what a personalized watch can be.” (Daniel Wein)
How it works
JCK walks through how it works: with no tools, the engraved cover comes off to show the mechanical movement underneath.
“…Without tools, watch owners can add a custom‑engraved cover to the back of their watch. It sits on top of the exhibition back and can be easily removed, to allow for mechanical‑movement visibility.”
Four generations
JCK also covers the family’s history, which began in Chicago in 1922 and is now in its fourth generation.
Hyman Wein founded what started as the Clinton Watch Company, with lineage leading to the current brand’s status as “the oldest family‑owned watchmaker in the United States.”
The relaunch
JCK ties the story to Hampden’s July 2025 relaunch event in Chicago, where the Casecap® and the Centennial Collection debuted, led by the Sullivan.
Design Concierge
JCK also covers Hampden’s Design Concierge, which helps customers turn a personal idea into an engraving.
“People buy the watch, schedule an appointment with our designers, and they get to see their ideas come to life… You get to hear their stories, and that’s really fun. You have a human conversation.” (Joe Wein)