Howard Pocket Watch

[Robert_Antiques]

I Have a couple of Howard Pocket Watches maybe you can help me on one I have.It is I think 12s
17J ser no.1176826 Movement marked E.Howard Watch Co.Boston.U.S.A., also says Pat.D 12 best as I can see, The Regulator Looks simular to a Ball Hamilton. Dial is marked Howard This is on a Swing out movement.Well thats for the Watch.The Case marked - E.Howard Watch Co.Keystone Watch Case, Then a little Crown with Two Baskets on a hanger. Under the Baskets reads J.Boss Extra Case Ser #6456473.
Two Questions.
1- Can you tell me anything about the movement.
2- What about The case Feels Gold but I am not sure.
Thank You Robert

[Robert_Antiques]

I Have a couple of Howard Pocket Watches maybe you can help me on one I have.It is I think 12s
17J ser no.1176826 Movement marked E.Howard Watch Co.Boston.U.S.A., also says Pat.D 12 best as I can see, The Regulator Looks simular to a Ball Hamilton. Dial is marked Howard This is on a Swing out movement.Well thats for the Watch.The Case marked - E.Howard Watch Co.Keystone Watch Case, Then a little Crown with Two Baskets on a hanger. Under the Baskets reads J.Boss Extra Case Ser #6456473.
Two Questions.
1- Can you tell me anything about the movement.
2- What about The case Feels Gold but I am not sure.
Thank You Robert

[Kent]

Robert:

As the Keystone-Howard ad (link below) shows, the (J.) Boss Extra case was gold filled. When fitted in such a case, the 17-Jewel watch (although a medium grade watch from a top manufacturer), was at the bottom of the Howard line. Collectors refer to this company as Keystone-Howard because it was owned by the Keystone Watch Case Co.

Regarding the case, all J. Boss cases are gold-filled:

According to "History of the American Watch Case," Warren H. Niebling, Whitmore Publishing, Philadelphia, PA, 1971 (available on loan by mail to members from the NAWCC Library):

1853 - Randolf & Reese Peters were making cases in Philadelphia, employing James Boss.

1859 - J. Boss received a patent for "spinning up" cases made of "gold-filled" type material. That is, material made of a sheet of composition metal (usually brass) sandwiched between two thin sheets of gold.

1871 - J. Boss sold patent rights to John Stuckert of Philadelphia.

1875 - T.B. Hagstoz & Charles N. Thorpe formed Hagstoz & Thorpe, purchasing the manufacturing facilities and "J. Boss" patent from the estate of John Stuckert.

1883 - 1885 - T.B Hagstoz withdrew from the company which became C.N. Thorpe Co. and shortly thereafter it was reorganized as the Keystone Watch Case Co.

Keystone then went on to absorb other case companies (and several watch companies), becoming one of the largest case manufacturers in the country. Keystone stayed in business another 80+ years.

Kent

That guy down in Georgia :smile:

P.S. Edited to include movement information.

[This message was edited by Kent on September 21, 2003 at 14:38.]

[Kent]

Using the paper clip to attach a file is quirky

O.K. Here's the link ....

That guy down in Georgia :smile:

[Robert_Antiques]

Thanks Kent
You are a wizard of knowledge.I will just have to keep going threw my Watches and see if I can find one to "Stump You".Again Thank You
Robert

[Kent]

Although not a catalog, the 1913 Keystone-Howard ad in the link below, lists their line of movements, and grades of cases, within which they were available.

Kent

That guy down in Georgia :smile: