Hampden is an independent, family-owned watch company rooted in Chicago and powered by personalization. We design timepieces that don’t just tell time - they tell stories.
Our signature approach to engraving transforms each caseback into a design canvas. With the support of our in-house Design Concierge, customers can create uniquely personal engravings - from sketches and handwritten notes to milestone messages - turning every Hampden into a wearable memory. This is more than engraving - it’s your story, made permanent.
Four Generations of Family Watchmaking
For over a century, our family has been crafting watches in Chicago, making Hampden the oldest family-run watch company still in continuous operation in America.
In 1922, our great-grandfather Hyman Wein founded the Clinton Watch Company in Chicago, one of five brothers who each started watch businesses. Two of those companies are still running today: Hampden Watch in Chicago and Marathon Watch in Canada, the country’s oldest watch company. Along the way, our family also founded the Wolbrook and Douglas brands and later operated Benrus for nearly two decades — deepening our roots in American watchmaking.
In 1958, our family became the official steward of the Hampden name, preserving not just a brand but a legacy of American horology that now spans nearly 150 years.
A Story Passed from Generation to Generation
Joe Wein, a trained engineer and U.S. Army veteran, joined the business with his father Irving in 1985. As CEO since 2002, he has guided Hampden into the 21st century by streamlining operations, securing patents, and laying the groundwork for a new era of innovation.
In 2023, Daniel Wein joined the business alongside Joe, becoming the fourth generation in our century-old watchmaking lineage. That moment was marked by a watch - engraved with four generations of names - which became the vision for Hampden’s relaunch.
In 2025, we opened the doors to our longtime West Loop headquarters to celebrate our relaunch with family, collectors, and longtime employees. That gathering marked Hampden’s next chapter: one focused on personalization, meaning, and memory.
For more about our story, visit our full About Us page.