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CIVIL WAR ERA E. HOWARD SERIES III 18K HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH, SERVICED!

Estimated price for orientation: 2 995 $

Category: Antique
Class:











Description
Year of Manufacture: 1860-1869 Number of Jewels: 15 Jewels
Brand: E. Howard Serial Number: 17780
Material: 18K Yellow Solid Gold Pocket Watch Size: N/18 Size
Closure: Full Hunter Model: Series III
Features: Key Wind, Key Set, Enameled Dial, Roman Numerals Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Movement: Mechanical (Key-winding) Escapement Type: Lever


CIVIL WAR ERA E. HOWARD SERIES III 18K HUNTING CASE POCKET WATCH, SERVICED!
    On December 11, 1858 Mr. Edward Howard began the manufacture of high grade pocket watches, having  formed this new company after the dissolution of the Boston Watch Company in 1857. Edward Howard was instrumental in the development of American manufactured watches and pioneered the use of many technical patents in his designs, including the Reed's Patent which applied the legendary John Harrison, of Longitude fame, power maintaining device to a mainspring without a fusee. This, among many other innovations and a dedication to high standards, made E. Howard watches some of the finest timepieces produced from before the Civil War  until 1903.     The E. Howard & Co. Boston, series III, N size pocket watch offered here is a remarkable example of a fine quality timepiece circa the Civil War. This unique mechanism is housed in a substantial yellow 18 karat  solid gold case made exclusively for   E. Howard & Co.  by WP&Co (Wheeler Parsons Company) that includes its original solid gold bezel and bow, two items that are often replaced in other watches because of loss or damage.  The watch movement itself is a very special key wound and key set mechanism of the "quick beat" design ticking 18,000 times per hour which was unusual for a watch of this period, but a feature that Edward Howard insisted be offered in his watches due to its increased accuracy. The mechanism also incorporates 15 jewels along with Reed's patented power maintaining device, patented November 24, 1857 as noted in the engraving on the power maintaining disk, and geneva style stop-works so that only a portion of the mainspring that provides the most consistent power is used. At its heart, this unique timepiece  makes use of a bimetallic temperature compensating balance wheel fitted with solid gold balance screws; a sophisticated design feature that would be incorporated in many railroad quality watches for generations to come! The watch dial is fitted to the mechanism by three dial feet that are in turn secured into the movement by the use of brass taper pins; another indication of the early manufacture period of this watch. The dial is made of white hard porcelain enamel and serves as a backdrop to the 3 factory original cobalt blue steel hands, of which the hour and minute hands are of a unique spade design with the top center portions of the spade swells having been flat polished, yet another attention to detail involved in the creation of this watch. Our certified watchmaker has fully dissembled and serviced this item to ensure proper timekeeping and that all features are functioning properly.     It is truly amazing that this timepiece has survived approximately 150 years as a witness to mans accomplishments and turmoils. Having started its life as a rarified expression of both mechanical and aesthetic art whose possession was only possible for the wealthy and few, its physical presence  now serves as a tactile reminder to coax us to consider a time when our world was a much different place than it is today, which further compels us to imagine  the endless possibilities of tomorrow.           Make: E. Howard & Co. Boston     Model: Series III     Movement: 15 jewels, Key Wind/Key Set     Movement Serial Number: 17780     Dial: White hard porcelain enamel     Hands: Original, Cobalt Blue w/Polished Hr & Min. Spade Swells
   
    Case Number: 808
   
    Case: 18 Karat Yellow Solid Gold, Hunting Case, Glass Crystal     Dimensions: 50.5mm Round , 70.8mm from Bow Top to Case Bottom, 15.5mm Thick     Gross Watch Weight: 133.0 Grams     Special Features: Reed's Patent Power Maintaining Device, Geneva Style Stop-Works, Solid Gold Balance Screws     Circa: 1860's                                                             Forgotten Times Ltd.
          Your Watch Specialist Since 1991!
          CW21 Certified by The American Watchmakers - Clockmakers Institute of America.
    Established in 1991 with a store located in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington heights Illinois, Forgotten Times Ltd has been repairing, buying and selling modern and vintage timepieces with great success. Our customers have become accustomed to the high quality of products and services they receive from us, so please feel free to contact us regarding your interests in watches, watch repair and collecting.    
   In addition to other international organizations we are proud members of:
      The American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI)
      The Chronometer Club (CC)
      The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC)
     For more information please contact us:
      (847) 259-8641
    Our Address:
          Forgotten Times Ltd.
      114 N. Evergreen Ave.
      Arlington Heights, IL 60004-6002