Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

E. Howard Watch Co. 12-size open face pocket watch

Partially verified

This early 20th-century American open face pocket watch by the E. Howard Watch Co. is reported by the seller to feature a 12-size nickel bridge movement fitted with 17 jewels, a lever escapement, and a micrometer regulator. The movement is inscribed with serial number 1342385. Housed in a gold-filled open face case measuring 46 mm in diameter by 10 mm in thickness, the mechanism is arranged to swing out on a hinge from the back cover. The watch presents a brushed silvered dial signed 'HOWARD', displaying black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and a bevelled mineral glass crystal.

Dial view of the E. Howard Watch Co. 12-size gold-filled open face pocket watch
Dial view of the E. Howard Watch Co. 12-size gold-filled open face pocket watch — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
E. Howard Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA38 (AB-144402)
Source-reported date
c. 1917
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
1342385

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Visual Dial and Case Appearance

Based on direct visual observation of the dial side, the pocket watch features a silvered dial with fine vertical brushing, encircled by an outer railway track minute register. It displays bold black Roman numeral hour markers and includes a subsidiary seconds register positioned at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is fitted with blued steel hands, specifically a pierced Breguet-style hour hand and a leaf-style minute hand.

The open face case is gold filled and displays a patterned coin-edge border along the bezel, complemented by an intricately carved bow at the top. In the listing description, the dealer notes that the dial is signed 'Howard' and fitted with a bevelled mineral glass crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial with fine vertical brushing, enclosed by a railway track minute register.”
  • “Prominent black Roman numeral hour markers with a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Blued steel handset with pierced Breguet-style hour hand and leaf minute hand.”
  • “Gold-filled case with an intricately carved bow and coin-edge or patterned bezel border.”
  • “The dial is signed “Howard” and is in 95% mint condition – tiny marks only”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Reported Case Construction and Dimensions

According to the seller's description, the pocket watch is housed in an open-face, gold-filled case that measures 46 mm wide by 10 mm deep. The case is constructed as a two-piece hinged design where the movement swings out from the back cover on a hinge.

The dealer further records that the exterior case features carved sides, engine turning, and initials on the back cover. The inside of the back cover is reported to bear an inscription as well as the signature 'E Howard Watch Co, Boston'.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a gold filled open face case, which has two piece hinged case and then the movement hinges out from the back cover.”
  • “The inside of the back cover is signed “E Howard Watch Co, Boston””
  • “The case also has an inscription on the inside of the back cover also”
  • “The case has a carved sides, engine turning and initials on the back.”
  • “The watch measures 46mm wide x 10mm deep”

Reported Movement and Accompanying Material

The dealer reports that the internal mechanism is a 12-size, 17-jewel American nickel bridge movement configured with a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator. The bridge is transcribed as bearing the engraved signature 'E Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, 17 Jewels, Adjusted, No 1342385'. The watch is stem wound and stem set.

The listing states that the pocket watch is accompanied by an original wooden box lined with velvet and silk, alongside an original matching certificate. The listing title notes a circa 1917 date ('c1917'), though the specific basis for this date is not stated in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is a 12 size 17 Jewel American pocket watch.”
  • “Movement – the nickel bridge movement has a lever escapement and a micrometer regulator.”
  • “The movement is signed “E Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, 17 Jewels, Adjusted, No 1342385.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “The watch comes in its original wooden box with original and matching certificate. The wooden box is lined with velvet and silk”
  • “MINT 12s 17 Jewel E. Howard Watch Co pocket watch. c1917 in Antique Mens Watches”

Open research questions

  • What specific text and date are engraved on the interior case back inscription mentioned in the listing?
  • What information is recorded on the matching certificate to substantiate the circa 1917 date?
  • What initials are engraved on the back of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for E. Howard Watch Co. 12-size open face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Size and jewel count12 size, 17 jewels“This is a 12 size 17 Jewel American pocket watch.”
Case constructionGold filled open face hinged case“the movement comes in a gold filled open face case, which has two piece hinged case and then the movement hinges out from the back cover.”
Dial signatureHoward“The dial is signed “Howard””
Dimensions46 mm wide x 10 mm deep“The watch measures 46mm wide x 10mm deep”
Winding systemStem wound / stem set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Accompanying packagingOriginal wooden box lined with velvet and silk, and matching certificate“The watch comes in its original wooden box with original and matching certificate. The wooden box is lined with velvet and silk”
Reported movement signatureE Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, 17 Jewels, Adjusted, No 1342385“The movement is signed “E Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, 17 Jewels, Adjusted, No 1342385.”
Reported case back markE Howard Watch Co, Boston“The inside of the back cover is signed “E Howard Watch Co, Boston””
Crystal materialBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with fine vertical brushing, enclosed by a railway track minute register.
  • Prominent black Roman numeral hour markers with a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel handset with pierced Breguet-style hour hand and leaf minute hand.
  • Gold-filled case with an intricately carved bow and coin-edge or patterned bezel border.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement specifications, signatures, and case inscriptions are based on seller description and are not visible in the dial-side photograph.
  • Condition percentages stated in the listing reflect subjective dealer ratings.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

MINT 12s 17 Jewel E. Howard Watch Co pocket watch. c1917 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ed93de0ab7

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other open-face pocket watch records