Hello everyone, just back from a trip to Alaska. I happened upon a small Antique shop which had a couple common pocket watches in the case (except for the Rockford two tone 17 jewel I should've bought).

I looked at all of them, opening them, examining the condition and what not when the owner says to me " You seem to know alot about these, wait here, I have something to ask you about".

He comes back a few minutes later and says he cannot find his Montgomery Ward watch that he cannot get the case opened on. I tell him that more than likely it is an Illinois watch movement inside the case but he was insistant that the tag attached to it said "Howard Watch Company movement".

I checked an old 1897 Montgomery Ward catalog and sure enough it does list what looks to be an 18 size Howard watch in a gold filled case. The catalog does not show the dial so my question is this.

1) Has anyone seen one?

2) would it have a Montgomery Ward & Co. dial on a Howard marked movt or, would the movement be marked Montgomery Ward as well?

No, he never did find it but he has my telephone number to call me when he does

Ray, I have never seen one or heard of one.
I'm sure the M-W catalog refers to the 3/4 plate Howard with their close-out special price, as the new split-plate model replaced the old 3/4 plate design that was no longer made. As my 1894/1895 catalog states; "This quotation is a special one which will be withdrawn soon as the limited supply of these watches is disposed of." They must not have sold out very fast if they were still listed in the 1897 catalog. As far as I know, no Early Howards have ever been seen marked Montgomery Wards.

Thanks Harold, I really expected and still believe it is probably an Illinois but I may never know..

Hi Ray

I have a feeling you will hear from the guy.

Did you have a nice trip? Wife & I plan on going up there next summer, she use to live there but I have never been.

Tom

It was a great trip Tom, it was my first cruise experience and was just wonderful. The climate was perfect, the sights were breathtaking and the people were some of the nicest I've ever encountered. I'm going back up to Ketchikan in August 2012 to fish with some guys from work.

I purchased two Elgin wristwatches and an old Montgomery Ward clock / timer that looks near new. I will post some pictures when I get them photographed.