The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 104

E. Howard, Boston, Series IV, No. 34514, circa 1862.Fine and rare, 18K gold, hunting-cased watch with Abbot patented keyless system.

USD 1 - 2,500

Sold: USD 1,840

C. four-body, "bassine", by "N.M. & Co.", engine-turned and engraved covers, reeded edges and band, gold hinged cuvette. D. white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel "Crescent" hands. M. N size, frosted gilt, Abbot keyless winding setting, patented on Jan. 18, 1881, 15 jewels, adjusted, straight line "moustache" lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel flat balance spring, swan-neck micrometric regulator.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam. 54.8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good

Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-12-01

Good

Worn

HANDS Original

Notes

Howard watches that employ Abbot's keyless winding and setting system are very rare. In the beginning, Abbot's systems did not even fit Howard watches.From a historical perspective, this is a very interesting watch. Although beginning its life as a key-wound/key-set watch, it was later converted to a stem wound, lever-set watch, utilizing a special Henry Abbott attachment. The patent date on the attachment is January 18, 1881, which corresponds to the regular Abbott attachment with rocking bar. The attachment on this watch, however, appears more clever, and does not seem to have been patented. Because the original Abbot attachments were not sutable for thin Howard watches, Abbot had to design a special one just for Howard watches. On July 27, 1886, Abbot invented a permanent winding and setting system, suitable for Howard watches (US patent No. 346254). It seems that the attachment found in the present watch gave Abbott the inspiration for his design of the 1886 system.