I recently purchased, from a fellow IHC185 member and Howard collector, a most unusual Series III E. Howard watch that I would like to share with you. I consider all early Howard’s to be one-of-a-kind, but this one is extra special. I reference comments made by him and am using his pictures as he is a much better photographer than me.

Serial number 20404 was made in the late 1860’s. It is key wind/key set from the back and has Reed’s patent barrel. It is wound counter-clockwise. The plates are still nice and clean with the gilding in very good condition. It is running very well keeping good time. The watchmakers who have serviced this watch have been careful and left very few marks.

About 25 years later, it was sent back to the Howard factory, probably for repairs. E. Howard had instructed that, for serial numbers up to about 30,000 needing parts or repairs, to return the watch to the factory. At the same time, it was fitted with a new dial and case.

The case was specially made by Keystone for this movement. It is a heavy gold filled open face case still in very good condition. The engraving on the back is of something you don’t see every day on cases – a bull. I suspect this watch belonged to a rancher and this was his prize winning bull.

Now to one of the special components of this watch. We know this case was specially made for this movement as early E. Howard watches had a unique location for the movement pin.

Again, early Howard’s had a unique winding hole location. There is no evidence of a plugged winding hole in the cuvette. So this case has held no other movement except this keywind Series III.

The other special feature is the dial which helps to date when the watch was sent back to the factory and received the new dial and case. Double sunk dials first came out in 1894 or later when the split-plate models were introduced and were not available when the movement was first made. It is in almost perfect condition.

This one-of-a-kind dial had not been fired yet and was still in the raw copper state but did have
the feet (or legs) soldered on for use on movements made around 1894 or so. The original feet were removed, pinned Series III feet were soldered on in their proper positions, the enamel applied, the old Howard style logo painted on the front and then the dial was put in the furnace, glazing over the original feet outlines. You can see the outline of the original feet still showing under the enamel glaze!

The member I bought this E. Howard watch from had owned it for about 20 years and has never seen another Howard like this. I have not either, until now. When I saw the pictures, I knew I had to have this one. I hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures of this very special watch.

VERY nice! I don't know much about Howards or KW/KS, but I DO know nice!

Thats a very nice watch Mary Ann

Looks to be very well taken care of, very well documented, and I feel sure, as you do, that it probably belonged to one of those ole Texas ranchers from God's country

I enjoyed looking, and your presentation was without a glitsch This watch would be a center~piece of anyones collection Thank you for sharing a truly one of a kind and unique watch with us

regards,
bb

for some reason I couldn't see the case picture of the bull at first but can now!! Beautifully engraved, and a grand watch, congratulations!!!

I also have a E.Howard series 3 watch serial number 18713 with Ross pat number 1857.It has a silveroid case which runs great it also is key wound.I also have Howard Keystone series 0,10,2,5,3,No4 Canadian,and 9.from 23j to21j to17j.Love thoes Howards both old and new.Johnny

Mary Anne nice Howard.

I was shocked when I saw your Howard and everything you wrote about it. I have almost the exact same watch, without the updated face. The main difference in the face on mine is that "E Howard & Co" is printed straight accross instead of in an arching manner. Also, mine is in a W P & Co solid gold full hunter case, with the winding and setting holes in the same locations as yours. It also winds counter clockwise. My serial number is 22010 and has Reeds patent. I really enjoy carrying it as regular timepiece although I am very careful to keep it in the flawless condition in which I received it. It keeps perfect time and it goes beautifully with a nice suit. My biggest challenge is that everyone I have ever had service it insists on buying it. The prices offered are staggering. So take pleasure in the beauty and value of your watch. And take care to have it properly valued if you ever decide to sell it. I am simply thrilled to see the only other Howard like it I've ever seen. Congratulations.