Does anyone know the name of the company that used the mark R & F, with the & in what looks like an open ended wreath?

Jerry,

That would be: A.A. Robert & Foster
46 School St
Boston, Mass

1900 - 1920

Most likely a solid gold case...

John: Yes it is a 14K case. It is on a Series XII L sized Howard. This is 17J split plate model with rayed damascening. Thanks for the information!

WOW!
What a great example of what Chapter 185 is all about!!

Steve

I expect that R&F were around before 1900. I have seen several 1888 model Walthams in these cases, too. They are always very nice, solidly-made cases.

Jerry, Here's a little more info. Your SER XII #700,848, according to the Howard factory records, was finished Feb. 27, 1900 and sold to the firm of "Oppenheimer Bros.& Veith" the same day. It is listed in the records as an Grade 10, Lsz, OF, New Model. The R&F case date fits right in this time-frame.
Harold

Thanks to all of you!

Jerry Freedman