Keystone Howard made by Waltham question.

[4thdimension]

I found a 16s,23j., hunting movement at the flea yesterday. The plates, wheels and jewels are in great shape but it is missing the case,dial, winding wheel and it needs staffing.
Its probably a long term project but it was
super cheap(it and several other watches were 50 bucks).
My question is about the serial numbers. On the top plate its H834041 and under where the dial should be its 534041. I read in one of the
"Price Indicators" that the under dial number
is the Waltham ser. no.. Since the number is too low to be in the Waltham sequence I'm guessing they began a new sequence for their
Howard production? Also, did these Howards
come factory cased only like the Keystone made
production?
Thank you for any thoughts you can share.
-Cort

[4thdimension]

I found a 16s,23j., hunting movement at the flea yesterday. The plates, wheels and jewels are in great shape but it is missing the case,dial, winding wheel and it needs staffing.
Its probably a long term project but it was
super cheap(it and several other watches were 50 bucks).
My question is about the serial numbers. On the top plate its H834041 and under where the dial should be its 534041. I read in one of the
"Price Indicators" that the under dial number
is the Waltham ser. no.. Since the number is too low to be in the Waltham sequence I'm guessing they began a new sequence for their
Howard production? Also, did these Howards
come factory cased only like the Keystone made
production?
Thank you for any thoughts you can share.
-Cort

[Dr. Jon]

Cort

This much I can tell you: Keystone Howards were cased at the factory and widely advertised only to be sold in cases with certificates carrying both movement and case number. Sounds like a nice watch.

The early Keystone 23J movements have a massive gold set jewel in the winding barrel. If that is not there it is even more likely to be a Waltham "Bridge" movement

[Tom McIntyre]

Actually you might try dropping the H and looking it up in the Chapter 149 posting of the E. Howard & Co records*.

It was made by Waltham for E. Howard and Co., not for Keystone Howard. There is a lot of fumbling in the late serial numbers but it is very likely it was delivered to E. H. Co.

If you have have a high speed connection you might also enjoy looking at The Bridges of Middlesex County (http://www.awco.org/Presentations/Bridges.htm).


*It is actually one number past the last recorded entry.

[4thdimension]

Dr.Jon and Tom, Thankyou!
I am sure I've got a Waltham bridge mov't because of their patent hairspring stud.
I am very surprised it is a Waltham made for
E.Howard&Co. though.
I'm looking forward to finding info in the new Howard look-up but by some fluke I've tried one that is before the first number listed and now I have exactly 1 number past the last. I'm not complaining mind you.
My next question is, how many Waltham made
E.Howard&Co watches were made with 23 jewels?
The news so far is pretty intriguing.
Many thanks.
-Cort