Chicago IL, 60618
Noon - Five
Howard was the Rolls Royce of American pocket watches at the end of the 1800s and they were the standard by which all other companies were measured. The Boston based E. Howard & Co. introduced the first "quick beat" train to American watchmaking and were also the first company to produce, and market, a stem winding watch in the U.S. as well as the first to adjust timing to all 6 positions. Yes, they were an amazing company who led the American pocket watch onslaught with great panache. By 1902, Howard was purchased by the Keystone Watch Case Company and they carried on the great Howard tradition. Their watches were marked "E. Howard Watch Co. Boston U.S.A." All their watches were cased and timed at the factory and came as complete watches only, unlike the earlier Howard company who contracted with as many as 23 different companies to fabricate cases for them. The production was terminated in 1930 after having made only about 650,000 complete watches. If you compare this total with Elgin, who made roughly 55,000,000 over 100 years of production time, you can see why the Howard watch is scarce today. This particular Howard is as nice as they get for a twelve size, open face Series Seven, 17 jewel. It sports Breguet style, blued steel, "Lunette" hands (including the second hand), Roman numerals, a porcelain dial, and a wonderfully simple, plain polish case that was the thickest gold-filled case made. The "Extra" designation that you can see on the interior of the case back lets the user know that it is guaranteed to wear permanently. Gold filled cases were rated in terms of years of wear provided. This is a yellow gold filled case that is real classic. Normally, one can see the year designations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years inscribed on the case but, rarely the term "Extra" which meant it was the thickest amount of gold that could be used while still having the more rigid base metal on the interior of the case. Very, very few of these cases were made, since it was a very costly proposition to produce one. Add to all of this the fact that the case is a "book style, swing-out" case in fantastic condition. We think that this watch was rarely used over its lifetime and you only have to look at the tiny, beaded rim on the case covers to see what we mean. The beading is still beautiful in its simplicity. This may be your chance to own a Howard that is easy to carry in modern clothing, stunning in its appearance, and in fantastic running condition. Remember all of our timepieces come with our famous one-year warranty for parts and labor so that you may buy with confidence.
