We have a Howard 17j Lever Set Open Face Checkerboard Pattern Montgomery Dial 3/4 Plate Serial number 983636 1905 Pattern. Watch was made in 1909. I also have a series 9 3pos Checkerboard Pattern Stem Set and Wound Serial Number 1124206 made in 1912. My question to you is the first watch a series 9 or is it a series 2 model. Because the series 2 was at first a 3/4 plate then changed to a Bridge Plate. I also have one of those. I beleive all series 9 were stem set and wound no Lever set watches. Both watches are in Howard Keystone cases. The case number for the first is 2074478 and 2163161 second case. You tell me is watch 1 a railroad watch or not. Watch 2 is also open faced. Johnny

Johnny,

Welcome to IHC185. I think the other members would be much better able to answer your questions if you could post a photo of the watch you are talking about.

It's very difficult trying to visualize it from just a verbal description.

I'm going to suggest that all 16s watch grades made by the E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, USA were designed to be RR grade except for possibly the models made for the gentry who might have preferred a fine, prestigious, pendant-set, Howard movement.
Below are movement diagrams for Series 2 and Series 9 watches.It would seem that there WERE some Series 9 watches that were lever set.

......and a Series 9 movement

Johnny,

In the 3/4 plate checkerboard Series 9 watch of 17 jewels, they made two versions, an adjusted 3 positions and an adjusted 5 position watch. The 5 position watch would have made the RR requirements and would need to be marked 5 positions in order to do so. I have not personally seen a Series 9 with the checkerboard damaskeening marked other than "adjusted" which meant 3 positions from the time frame the watch would have been made and used. I feel they may be out there so perhaps a member would share a 5 position Series 9 with the checkerboard damaskeened pattern with us if they might in fact have one

You tell us of a 3/4 plate lever set watch with a checkerboard damaskeened pattern in 17 jewels that you have with serial # 983636. To me there is no doubt that it is a Series 9 mvmt. Is it marked "adjusted" or "adjusted 5 positions" That would tell the tale as to whether its a RR watch or a "gents" watch. Better yet, howz about a picture which would speak a thousand words

regards,
bb