Hampden History
In 1922, Hyman Wein opened a small watch company in Chicago. He was an immigrant, a dreamer, and a craftsman who believed that watches should be built with care — combining Swiss precision with American spirit.
A century later, his vision still guides us. Four generations of the Wein family have kept the business alive in the same city where it all began, making Hampden the oldest continuously operating and family-owned watchmaker in America.
MADE IN CHICAGO SINCE 1922
Over the decades, our family’s work has taken us far from Chicago — to factories in Switzerland and the Virgin Islands, and to workshops in New York and Providence. Along the way, we became stewards of other great American watch names, including Hampden in the 1950s and Benrus in the 1980s. But no matter where we built or what brands we manufactured under, the heartbeat of the business always stayed in Chicago, with tens of millions of watches passing through our factories into the hands of customers.
Now, as a fourth generation joins the story, we’re looking ahead. The watches we’re creating today honor the past, while carrying Hampden into a new century of innovation and personal storytelling.
1877
The Hampden Watch Company is founded in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its pocket watches become staples of early American watchmaking — today, they’re part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
1877
The Hampden Watch Company is founded in Springfield, Massachusetts. Its pocket watches become staples of early American watchmaking — today, they’re part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection.
1922
Escaping war-torn Europe, Hyman Wein arrives in Chicago and founds the Clinton Watch Company.
1922
Escaping war-torn Europe, Hyman Wein arrives in Chicago and founds the Clinton Watch Company.
1933
Hyman's brother Morris Wein moves to Canada and founds Marathon Watch Company, which continues to thrive to this day manufacturing Swiss-made, military-grade watches.
1933
Hyman's brother Morris Wein moves to Canada and founds Marathon Watch Company, which continues to thrive to this day manufacturing Swiss-made, military-grade watches.
1947
After returning home from fighting in the European theatre during World War II, Irving Wein joins his father Hyman as the second generation at the company.
1947
After returning home from fighting in the European theatre during World War II, Irving Wein joins his father Hyman as the second generation at the company.
1958
Hyman acquires the historic Hampden name — linking his family’s Chicago-born business with an American brand dating back to 1877. The two legacies become one.
1958
Hyman acquires the historic Hampden name — linking his family’s Chicago-born business with an American brand dating back to 1877. The two legacies become one.
1973
Irving builds factories in Switzerland and St. Croix, pioneering new designs and bold marketing. Famously, Clinton's diver watches are sold inside vials of water with a lifetime guarantee to prove their durability.
1973
Irving builds factories in Switzerland and St. Croix, pioneering new designs and bold marketing. Famously, Clinton's diver watches are sold inside vials of water with a lifetime guarantee to prove their durability.
1981
Irving acquires the Benrus Watch Company, once one of America’s great national brands. For two decades, the family runs Benrus before returning to its Hampden roots.
1981
Irving acquires the Benrus Watch Company, once one of America’s great national brands. For two decades, the family runs Benrus before returning to its Hampden roots.
1985
Joseph Wein joins his father Irving to become the third generation in the family business.
1985
Joseph Wein joins his father Irving to become the third generation in the family business.
1989
Hampden becomes the first company to use laser machines in watch production, receiving the first of many U.S. patents for its methods.
1989
Hampden becomes the first company to use laser machines in watch production, receiving the first of many U.S. patents for its methods.
2000s
Even as globalization and the quartz crisis reshapes the industry, the family holds fast. After Irving’s passing in 2002, the business continues assembling private label watches.
2000s
Even as globalization and the quartz crisis reshapes the industry, the family holds fast. After Irving’s passing in 2002, the business continues assembling private label watches.
2022
Hampden celebrates its 100 year anniversary by kicking off development of its Centennial Collection.
2022
Hampden celebrates its 100 year anniversary by kicking off development of its Centennial Collection.
2025
Joseph’s son Daniel Wein joins the business as the fourth-generation to relaunch the Hampden brand.
2025
Joseph’s son Daniel Wein joins the business as the fourth-generation to relaunch the Hampden brand.