12 Size Waltham Howard

[Louis Christina]

Jerry and I were talking about 12s Waltham Howard and he mentioned that most of the 12 size bridge model had the engraving re-done? I'm not sure what the others look like, but this is one that can be compared with, other known examples. I'm a big fan of the Waltham made Howards and thought I would post the pictures here for other enthusiast to see.
If any of the newer collectors have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Tom McIntyre]

Louis,

Do you know if this serial number appears in the Howard ledgers?

 

[Louis Christina]

I have no idea... next question.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Louis - what a wonderful watch. We have seen very few of these that still have their original dial and movement markings. What make is the case?


To answer Tom's question - yes, this is one of a few that are listed in the original records, which show that it was received on January 8, 1904. Here is an example, just three digits away, that has had the name milled off, but you can still see remnants of the original engraving. It is shown as having been received the same day.

View attachment 141257

 

[Louis Christina]

Hey Jerry,
I see what you meant now, with he numbers being so close, I'm surprised to see that my example escaped that process, maybe they held it back?
The case is original in my opinion, it's a heavy 18k Roy case, it measures almost 48mm in diameter.
I am guessing that these watches must have been some of the first to arrive from Waltham?
I can't remember if I have another, I may be thinking about American Watch Co. bridge model watches, but I'm going to check.
BTW I found the 3 orders of Waltham movements by Howard analysis of the 16 size Waltham Howard bridge model to be very enlightening and interesting, thank you for doing that research.
Louis

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Louis is referring to a nice conversation we had at the National where I shared some of my current thinking on the history of the Waltham-Howard production. I believe I have the 16-size bridge-model movement production figured out within the constraints of known watches and historical data ( https://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?86544 ). The 16-size 3/4-plate production also fits the story fairly well. ( https://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?27880 ) This thread reminds me that I still have to iron out the details on the 12-size models.


Louis' 12-size bridge model would appear to have been made for Waltham's initial contract with E.Howard & Co.*, or perhaps for a later addition to that contract, which appears to have only included bridge-model movements. It is among the movements listed in the E.Howard & Co. ledgers as being delivered in January 1904. That was the last month in which E.Howard & Co. received movements from Waltham according to dates in the factory ledgers although some undated entries may have been a little later. The deliveries to the original E.Howard & Co. included 16-size and 12-size bridge models and had been taking place since December 1902. E.Howard probably ordered these watches in 1901. It seems that deliveries under the original contract continued to be delivered to E.Howard even after Keystone bought the name (February 1903).

E.Howard had agents (such as Hayden W. Wheeler) to whom they distributed these movements for sale and it is common to find these in cases not marked with the Howard name and made by companies other than Keystone. This is why Louis' watch is in a Roy case that is probably original. I speculate that Keystone may have had to honor these agency contracts, explaining why some of these watches continued to be cased and sold by Wheeler. It would appear that a number of unsold movements later had the Howard name removed.


12-size watches were part of two subsequent contracts with Keystone and now included 3/4-plate as well as bridge model movements. I am still trying to work out how known movements fit within these three inferred contracts.


Here is an example that I believe is from the final contract (circa 1905)

View attachment 141306

*I differentiate movements for the original E. Howard & Co. from later movements contracted by Keystone.

 

[Jerry Treiman]

Since Louis has raised the topic of 12-size Waltham-Howards, this is a good time to look if you have one of these laying unrecognized in your collection. Out of a few hundred made (very rough estimate) I have only recorded twenty-three bridge model movements and thirteen 3/4-plate movements in 12-size. Until I record more examples my production quantities, production dates and variations are pretty sketchy.

The 12-size bridge models have serial numbers in the low 816-thousands, usually with an "H" prefix (as shown in posts above), and in the low millions (1,020,xxx or 1,025,xxx) as shown directly above. Although some have the "E.Howard & Co." name, many have had the name removed. Be careful with the millions group as Keystone used some of those numbers over again for their own watches later on.

3/4-plate movements used a plate pattern in common with Waltham's Equity movements. Serial numbers are 866,801 to 867,100 (with or without an "H" prefix) and again in the low millions (1,030,xxx and 1,035,xxx). They may be marked "E.Howard & Co" or may also have had the name removed.

If you have one of these consider yourself fortunate and, please, share your watch information so that I can complete my research on these.

View attachment 141777