Brief History: E. Howard Watch Company
Including Serial Numbers and Production Dates
Roxbury (Boston), Massachusetts
December 11, 1858 - 1903
Edward Howard, undoubtedly one of the most respected names in the history of American horology, started the Howard Watch Company after the failure of the Boston Watch Company (1853-1857). His goal was to produce watches of the highest quality using interchangeable machine-made parts. With his financial partner, Charles Rice, Howard moved the tools, machinery and watches "in progress" from the defunct Boston Watch Company to their Roxbury factory in late 1857. During their first year of operation, the machinery was retooled for the production of a new watch of Howard's design, and the remaining Boston Watch Company movements were completed. These movements were signed "E. Howard & Co." on the dials and "Howard & Rice" on the movements.
E. Howard & Company
By the summer of 1858, Edward Howard produced the first watch of his own design, a watch that was entirely different from previous watches. The top plate was made in two sections and had six pillars instead of the usual four found in a full-plate watch. This watch also introduced the more accurate quick-train to the American market. Balances were gold or steel at first, and later bi-metallic compensating balances with gold screws were used. Reed's patented barrel was used on early watches, but by 1868, Howard patented a new steel motor barrel which replaced the Reed's barrels in Howard watches. Howard also introduced the first stem-winding watch in 1868, and was probably the first to market such a watch in the USA. The manufacture of key-wind movmeents was discontinued altogether by 1878. Howard was first to use the Reed patented micrometer regulator, and was the first to offer watches adjusted to six positions.
Sizes of Howard watches were designated using the Dennison system of measurement (see table below). By 1869, Howard had progressed from the "N" size movements (approximately 18-size) to the smaller "L" size movements (approximately 16-size). Howard dials were always made of hard enamel, and bore the name " E. Howard & Co., Boston."
Edward Howard retired in 1882, but his company continued to sell watch movements in grades and styles established by Howard until 1903. In 1902, the company transferred all rights to the "Edward Howard" brand name to the Keystone Watch Case Company (see below). Keystone manufactured a line of watches signed "E. Howard Watch Co., Boston, U.S.A." on the movement.
If You Own a Modern, Battery-Powered "E. Howard" Watch:
If you have a modern, battery-powered "E. Howard" watch, your watch was NOT made by the original E. Howard watch company. We do not know who makes the modern "E. Howard" watch, but we have spoken to many customers who puchased one of these watches, usually through a magazine ad, and have subsequently been unable to find warranty service for their watches when they have a problem. We're sorry that we can't help with your modern "Howard" watch, but these watches were neither made by nor sold by the original E. Howard Watch Company.
Howard Watch Company
Approximate Serial Numbers and Dates
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1858 | 2000 |
| 1859 | 2500 |
| 1860 | 3000 |
| 1861 | 30,000 |
| 1862 | 35,000 |
| 1863 | 40,000 |
| 1864 | 45,000 |
| 1865 | 50,000 |
| 1866 | 55,000 |
| 1867 | 60,000 |
| 1868 | 65,000 |
| 1869 | 70,000 |
| 1870 | 73,000 |
| 1871 | 77,000 |
| 1872 | 100,000 |
| 1873 | 130,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1874 | 175,000 |
| 1875 | 200,000 |
| 1876 | 220,000 |
| 1877 | 240,000 |
| 1878 | 260,000 |
| 1879 | 280,000 |
| 1880 | 300,000 |
| 1881 | 325,000 |
| 1882 | 350,000 |
| 1883 | 374,000 |
| 1884 | 400,000 |
| 1885 | 430,000 |
| 1886 | 475,000 |
| 1887 | 500,000 |
| 1888 | 530,000 |
| 1889 | 570,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1890 | 600,000 |
| 1891 | 620,000 |
| 1892 | 640,000 |
| 1893 | 660,000 |
| 1894 | 680,000 |
| 1895 | 700,000 |
| 1896 | 725,000 |
| 1897 | 750,000 |
| 1898 | 775,000 |
| 1899 | 800,000 |
| 1900 | 812,000 |
| 1901 | 825,000 |
| 1902 | 840,000 |
| 1903 | 854,000 |
| - | - |
| - | - |
Be sure to use the serial number on the movement of the watch itself.
Do not use the serial number from the case.
| Dennison Sizes | |
|---|---|
| Howard Letter | Inches |
| A | 1 |
| B | 1 1/16 |
| C | 1 2/16 |
| D | 1 3/16 |
| E | 1 4/16 |
| F | 1 5/16 |
| G | 1 6/16 |
| H | 1 7/16 |
| I | 1 8/16 |
| J | 1 9/16 |
| K | 1 10/16 |
| L | 1 11/16 |
| N | 1 13/16 |
E. Howard Watch Company (Keystone)
Waltham, Mas.
1902-1930
The Howard name was purchased by the Keystone Watch Case Company in 1902. There were no patent rights transferred, just the Howard name. The watches of the Keystone era are typically marked "E. Howard Watch Co. Boston U.S.A" and were sold as complete watches only i.e. they were cased and timed at the factory. These watches, dubbed "Keystone Howards" by collectors, are not as highly prized by collectors as the original E. Howard watches, though many were fine watches in their own right.
The E. Howard Watch Company (Keystone) should not be confused with the Keystone Standard Watch Company which operated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1886 to 1891 when it was sold to the Hamilton Watch Company.
Keystone Howard (1902 - 1930)
Approximate Serial Numbers and Dates
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1902 | 850,000 |
| 1903 | 900,000 |
| 1909 | 980,000 |
| 1912 | 1,100,000 |
| 1915 | 1,285,000 |
| 1917 | 1,340,000 |
| 1921 | 1,400,000 |
| 1930 | 1,500,000 |
At Renaissance Watch Repair, we are experts in the repair and restoration of Howard watches. We are also always looking for Howard Watches to purchase. Please contact us if you have any questions about the repair of your vintage E. Howard or Keystone Howard watch.