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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunting-cased pocket watch

E. Howard Watch Co. Series 8 Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This E. Howard Watch Co. Series 8 hunting-cased pocket watch, numbered 1066946 and dating to approximately 1910, is a special-order timepiece constructed with a case by Keystone. The four-body case is crafted from 14K and 24K gold, with both the front and back covers heavily adorned with 24-carat gold nuggets; the front cover features a central five-armed gold star. The white enamel dial is marked with Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions with red Arabic markers at five-minute intervals, and a subsidiary seconds dial. It is paired with blued steel spade-style hands. The watch is accompanied by a custom nugget-link chain ending in a large gold nugget. The movement is a 10-size nickel mechanism featuring fausses côtes decoration, 23 jewels, and a straight-line lever escapement. The piece is notably associated with the Alaskan Gold Rush and the personal history of a merchant named Mr. Schick.

Three views of the E. Howard watch showing the dial, the movement, the outer nugget-encrusted case, and the attached nugget chain.
Three views of the E. Howard watch showing the dial, the movement, the outer nugget-encrusted case, and the attached nugget chain. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Hunting-cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
E. Howard Watch Co.
Reference
Series 8
Catalogue / lot identifier
99
Source-reported date
circa 1910
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
1066946

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

Case and Dial

The timepiece is housed in a four-body hunting case produced by the Keystone watch case company. It is distinguished by the extensive application of 24-carat gold nuggets across both the front and back covers. A prominent feature is the five-armed gold star located at the center of the front cover. The watch utilizes a hinged cuvette to protect the internal movement.

The white enamel dial displays Breguet-style numerals. The perimeter is marked by standard outer minute divisions, accented by red Arabic markers every five minutes. A subsidiary sunk seconds dial is positioned at the base of the dial. The time is indicated by blued steel spade hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “four-body, front and back covers entirely set with 24 carat nuggets”
  • “the front centered by five arm gold star”
  • “white enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute red Arabic markers”

Movement and Technical Specifications

The movement is a 10-size nickel construction finished with fausses côtes decoration. It is a 23-jewel mechanism employing a straight-line lever escapement. The balance system comprises a cut-bimetallic compensation balance equipped with 14K gold screws and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The movement includes 14K gold cap jewel plates and a spring-loaded micrometric regulator.

The mechanism is adjusted to five positions, including cold, heat, and isochronism.

Evidence for this section
  • “10 size, nickel, "fausses côtes" decoration”
  • “straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with 14K gold screws”
  • “adjusted to 5 positions, cold,eat and isochronism”

Provenance and History

According to the auction records, this watch was commissioned by a merchant named Mr. Schick, who operated laundry and steam bath facilities in Juneau and on the Chena River during the Alaskan Gold Rush. The case was reportedly fabricated using gold nuggets acquired through his business dealings.

Following his relocation to Seattle, Mr. Schick maintained a long-term friendship with a local physician, Dr. Shadel. Upon his death, Mr. Schick bequeathed the watch and its nugget-link chain to Dr. Shadel. The watch remained in the Shadel family until its purchase in 1992 by the owner at the time of the auction, who returned the piece to Alaska.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch is an outstanding piece of memorabilia from the days of the Alaskan Gold Rush.”
  • “he took the gold nuggets paid to him and commissioned a nugget encrusted watchcase”
  • “hick's death, he left the nugget watch and chain to Dr. Shadel.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific archival record for the Keystone case serial number relative to E. Howard factory records?
  • Can the metallurgical origin of the nuggets be confirmed as originating from the specific Klondike-era sites mentioned in the provenance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for E. Howard Watch Co. Series 8 Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerE. Howard Watch Co.“E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, USA”
Serial Number1066946“No. 1066946”
Case MakerKeystone“by Keystone”
Movement Size10 size“10 size, nickel”
Jewels23“23 jewels”
Dial FeaturesBreguet numerals and red five-minute markers“white enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute red Arabic markers”
AdjustmentsAdjusted to 5 positions“adjusted to 5 positions, cold,eat and isochronism”

Visible details

  • Front and back case covers are encrusted with gold nuggets
  • Five-armed gold star centered on the front cover
  • Subsidiary sunk seconds dial
  • Nugget-link chain included with the watch

Research qualifications

  • Specific metallurgical composition of the individual nuggets is reported by the auction house but not independently verified
  • Historical provenance account relies on anecdotal records provided in the auction description

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

Consulted source

E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, USA, Series 8, No. 1066946, by Keystone, circa 1910.Very fine and very rare, 14 and 24K gold, hunting-cased, keyless, made for special order watch, accompanied by a nugget-link chain terminating with a large nugget.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record ac77969cd9

Terms in this record

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

Other hunting-cased pocket watch records