Mis-marked Howard (Keystone) Ser. 11

[Dave Berghold]

As a fan of Keystone Howard watches, this one appeared not too long ago and I snatched it up because I thought it was odd. It is odd. I've not seen another one like it. From all of the design features, it is a Series 10, with 21 jewels, adjusted to 5 positions, lever set, open face etc.... But it is marked Ser. 11. Go figure. Has anyone ever seen another like this? I've not checked the master serial number list that Kent offered some time ago to see if there were other "true" series 11 watches listed in the same range, but it would seem unlikely that this one is the only one that slipped through the cracks.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks in advance,
Dave Berghold - Bozeman, MT

[Dave Berghold]

And by the way, if anyone has a spare whiplash regulator, please let me know. I'd be happy to complete this watch.
Thanks, Dave

[Kent]

Dave:

Very odd!!!!!

Here's more of the run of Series 11 from our data base, none of which are noted as being like your watch, although 1,181,892 is referred to as a Series 10 by one mail order dealer (who was more prone to mistakes than the others) and as a Series 11 by another dealer.

Also, we've been recording the serial numbers of all sizes and grades of Keystone-Howards and there are none listed in any of the "holes" in the serial number range 1,181,001 - 1,190,000. There are some smaller watches listed immediately before and immediately following that range. The serial numbers seem to have been pre-assigned. It is highly unlikely that Keystone-Howard would have cranked out a single run of 9,000 Series 11s.

1,181,152
1,181,235
1,181,363
1,181,385
1,181,399
1,181,515
1,181,618
1,181,632
1,181,689
1,181,822
1,181,857
1,181,892
1,181,950
1,181,970
1,181,975
1,181,986
1,182,138
1,182,302
1,182,435
1,182,448
1,182,703
1,182,778
1,182,836
1,183,260
1,183,390
1,183,399
1,183,450
1,183,657
1,183,706
1,183,745
1,183,830
1,183,860
1,183,991
1,184,362
1,184,395
1,184,502
1,184,534
1,184,580
1,184,758
1,184,847
1,185,004
1,185,030
1,185,125
1,185,330
1,185,375
1,185,438
1,185,494
1,185,530
1,185,766
1,185,828
1,185,914
1,185,935
1,186,117
1,186,123
1,186,148
1,186,149
1,186,414
1,186,421
1,186,747
1,186,808
1,186,849
1,186,894
1,186,926
1,187,345
1,188,166
1,188,269
1,188,407
1,188,640
1,188,808
1,189,056
1,189,140
1,189,146
1,189,217
1,189,232
1,189,416
1,189,418
1,189,558

[rrwatch]

In reviewing the scans shown in the original auction, the seller showed a scan of the underside of the pillar plate. This scan clearly indicated that the pillar plate carried serial number 1170759, which is right in the middle of a run of Series 10 movements. I believe that this watch is a Series 10 with a barrel bridge from a Series 11 replacing the original bridge. The barrel bridges are fully interchangeable between the Series 10 and 11.

[Larry S]

This watch was offered by the same seller earlier in the year as a movement only. It had the same mismatched parts. Sorry to say, you've purchased a put together incorrect Howard. A practice that is getting to be all too common these days I'm afraid.

Larry

[Dave Berghold]

You are correct. I've just pulled the dial and it is a "put together" piece. I emailed the seller and asked him what he wants to do about it.
Oh well. I might have paid a lot for a parts watch.
Dave

[Dave Berghold]

Seller has agreed to take the watch back....after cleaning, adjusting etc.... He's got a "better" watch.

[terry hall]

"Watch" for it to be sold again.... and how it is described...