E. Howard Pocket Watches

One of the forefathers of American timepieces, Edward Howard revolutionized watchmaking during the second half of the 19th century. As much an icon of American history, E. Howard pocket watches also endure as a masterpiece of time-telling technology.

Founded in 1858 as a partnership between Edward Howard and Charles Rice, the E. Howard & Company watch works capitalized on the demise of the then-growing Boston Watch Company by accumulating all but the building of the defunct company. Rice left the partnership late that same year, allowing Howard to become the sole owner. Though changes in management and name followed the company for the subsequent years, their watches, which continued to be marked “E. Howard,” assumed the role as a gold standard of American luxury watches.

Howard himself retired in 1881, but the acclaim the brand had established allowed production of fine pocket watches and other timepieces into the early years of the 20th century. His clocks are featured on prominent structures across the country, from the Wrigley Building in Chicago to King Street Station in Seattle, and his pocket watches are as desirable now as they were 100 years ago.

Quick Facts

• One of E. Howard's more coveted designs was the “Series Two,” of which only 1,200 were made
• The street clock for the American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol, Connecticut, was made by E. Howard & Company
• An E. Howard Astronomical Regulator clock sold auction at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in late 2013. Selling for $277,300, it set a record sale price for one of his timepieces