Moore watch: Front, Back, Inner front, Inner back, Inner case inside, Movement, Edge view of movement, Second edge view of movement, Watch paper group, Top paper front, Top paper back, Second paper front, Second paper back, Third paper front, Third paper back, Silk liner front, Silk liner back, Inside outer case

Jenkton Watch: Front, Back, Inner front, Inner back, Inner case inside, Movement, Edge view of movement, Second edge view of movement, Inside outer case with paper, Inside outer case, Watch paper group, Top watch paper front, Top watch paper back, Watch case silk front, Watch case silk back (traces of old paper)

The highlight watches in the Early American Collection are beautiful examples of watches from the Colonial and Federal periods. They were not, however, typical of the watches in use in America at the time.

Very few men in America could afford to own a watch. Perhaps one in twenty could purchase a watch of any kind. Fewer than one in one hundred could purchase a watch in a precious metal case of silver or gold. The typical watch was a small verge, in a gilt metal case, without a dust cap, as in these two examples. These watches are not highly collectible, but they often contain watch papers that provide wonderful insights into watchmaking in Colonial and Federal America.

The first watch is by Moore and the second is by James Jenkton. Both watches are signed London. Both watches passed through the hands of the famous clockmaker Joshua Wilder of Hingham at some time in their history. Edward Howard apprenticed with Joshua Wilder as a clockmaker.