Welll............... not new, not an acquistion, but Dad gave it to my brother

[Michael R. Dutton]

This watch is a Keystone Howard Patented '12 - 12 size, PW/PS, 17 jewels, adjusted, E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, USA. Looks like it is in the original swing out case, in the original wooden box with the original paper. The back is engraved with the initials DLD and the inside of the back cover is engraved with "From Uncle John." The inside of the back cover also is signed: E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, Keystone Watch Case, "Co." inside of a keystone, below that a Crown over Scales corporate symbol and the word "Extra." The case serial number is 8428431.

The dial is very close to what I would say is pristine. The hands are delicate in appearance and appear to be blued. I do not see any corrosion on the hands. The serial number on the movement is 1157081. The watch was made sometime around 1912 or later.

The initials on the back, DLD, are for Donald Langley Dutton, my grandfather. The watch was given to my brother by my father. My Grandfather was born in the late 1800s and joined the US Army as a Captain in 1917 after having graduated from George Washington University as a civil engineer. He worked for the District of Columbia before he joined the Army. It is possible, then, that he might have been given the watch when he graduated from college or when he joined the Army.

The watch does not currently run. It is wound tight and will not start. The balace wheel wobbles. It is worth repairing and I intend to pursue repair by one of three watchmakers whom I trust explicitly - depends on who might be available! The photos were taken with a Fuji HS-10 using flourescent lighting through a home made light box from a plasic gallon size milk container.

Pictures follow:

[Randy Beamer]

A wonderful watch, and story to go with it !
I'm guessing that a clean-oil-adjust,along with a new balance staff will get this one going again.
Thanks for sharing..

Randy

[Michael R. Dutton]

Randy - thanks for your comment. The watch will be mailed out on this coming Monday or Tuesday for repair, cleaning, oiling and adjusting.