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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

E. Howard Watch Co. White Gold Filled 19-Jewel Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face pocket watch is attributed to the E. Howard Watch Co. of Boston, USA, dating to circa 1912 according to the dealer. The source reports a damascened bridge movement with lever escapement, 19 jewels, and serial number 10182, operating via stem winding and stem setting. It is housed in a white gold filled open face case measuring 44 mm across by 9 mm deep, with carved outer edges, an engine-turned back, and a vacant crest. The double sunk silvered metal dial is signed 'Howard' and features engine-turned detailing, black Arabic hour numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the E. Howard Watch Co. open face pocket watch showing the silvered dial and carved bezel rim
Front view of the E. Howard Watch Co. open face pocket watch showing the silvered dial and carved bezel rim — 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
4.131 (AB-14787)
Source-reported date
c1912
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
10182

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The open-face presentation features a silvered metal dial structured with double sunken registers and an engine-turned central circular zone signed "Howard". Time is indicated by blued steel hands traversing black Arabic hour numerals, bordered along the perimeter by a dotted minute track.

A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark, sunken into the metal dial face with Arabic numerals printed at 10-second intervals. Encircling the dial, the bezel and outer case rim display a carved patterned relief border, with an ornate bow and winding crown positioned directly above the 12 o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section
  • “the silvered metal dial is double sunk with a centre decorated with engine turning.”
  • “Open face silvered metal dial with an engine-turned central circular zone signed 'HOWARD'.”
  • “Blued steel hands over black Arabic numerals and a dotted outer minute track.”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at 10-second intervals.”
  • “Carved patterned relief border along the bezel and outer case rim.”
  • “Ornate bow and crown positioned above the 12 o'clock marker.”

Case Architecture and Reported Markings

According to the seller's documentation, the watch is housed in an open-face white gold filled case measuring 44 mm in width by 9 mm in depth. The housing is constructed with a snap-on front bezel and a hinged rear cover, fitted with a bevelled mineral glass over the dial.

The external surface of the case back is described as bearing engine-turned decoration centered around a vacant crest. Internally, the rear cover is documented by the dealer to bear the signatures "E.Howard Watch Co, Boston" and "Keystone, Extra".

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a white gold filled open face case, which has a hinged back and snap on bezel.”
  • “The watch measures 44mm wide x 9mm deep”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
  • “The case has carved edges and engine turning on the back with a vacant crest.”
  • “The inside of the back cover is signed “E.Howard Watch Co, Boston” and also “Keystone, Extra”.”

Reported Movement and Operating Characteristics

The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided primary dial photograph and is detailed via dealer catalogue records. The dealer lists the movement as a damascened bridge caliber equipped with a lever escapement and 19 jewels, configured for stem-winding and stem-setting operation.

The movement bridge plates are recorded by the dealer as bearing the signature "E.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, V, 19J" alongside serial number 10182. The listing designates the watch as dating to circa 1912, though this chronology represents a seller attribution.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement – the good quality bridge movement has a lever escapement and is decorated with damascening.”
  • “The movement is signed “E.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, V, 19J” # 10182.”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “White Gold Filled 19 Jewel E.Howard Watch Co pocket watch c1912”

Open research questions

  • What specific grade designation or production series does the letter 'V' represent on the E. Howard Watch Co. movement plate?
  • Does serial number 10182 correspond to circa 1912 in Keystone-era Howard watch serial number ledgers?
  • What specific gold-fill warranty period or casing standard was associated with the 'Keystone, Extra' trade mark on early 20th-century Howard watch cases?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for E. Howard Watch Co. White Gold Filled 19-Jewel Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionE. Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA“This watch was made by the E.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA.”
Movement signature and serialE.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, V, 19J # 10182“The movement is signed “E.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA, V, 19J” # 10182.”
Case material and constructionWhite gold filled open face case with hinged back and snap-on bezel“the movement comes in a white gold filled open face case, which has a hinged back and snap on bezel.”
Dimensions44mm wide by 9mm deep“The watch measures 44mm wide x 9mm deep”
Dial descriptionDouble sunk silvered metal dial with engine-turned center“the silvered metal dial is double sunk with a centre decorated with engine turning.”
Maker attributionE. Howard Watch Co., Boston, USA“This watch was made by the E.Howard Watch Co, Boston, USA.”
Crystal materialBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
Inner case signatureKeystone, Extra / E.Howard Watch Co, Boston“The inside of the back cover is signed “E.Howard Watch Co, Boston” and also “Keystone, Extra”.”
Case back decorationEngine-turned with a vacant crest“The case has carved edges and engine turning on the back with a vacant crest.”

Visible details

  • Carved patterned relief border along the bezel and outer case rim.
  • Open face silvered metal dial with an engine-turned central circular zone signed 'HOWARD'.
  • Blued steel hands over black Arabic numerals and a dotted outer minute track.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at 10-second intervals.
  • Ornate bow and crown positioned above the 12 o'clock marker.

Research qualifications

  • Movement condition and inner case markings are source-reported and not visible in the provided front dial photograph.
  • Dating to circa 1912 is based on dealer cataloguing.

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

Consulted source

White Gold Filled 19 Jewel E.Howard Watch Co pocket watch c1912 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fa09d49620

Terms in this record

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

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