Reed's pocket chronometer, S# 7, engraved "E. Howard & Co." This movement, one of about 100 pocket chronometers made by George P. Reed, is one of the few made prior to his departure from Edward Howard's employ. The unique top plate more closely resembles that of a Model 1871 than a model 1862-N movement, but is fenestrated to allow visual and functional access to the Reed's barrel. The movement is a half plate, with the escape wheel, as well as the detent, located in a separate circular bridge concentric with the balance wheel. The top plate is engraved with the patent date, "Aug 1st, 1865," as well as the Howard signature. The style of Reed's patented micrometer regulator is unique among "Howard" watches, and the few known Reed chronometers are the only Howard movements engraved with his regulator patent date, "Feb. 5, 1867." The dial of movement S# 7 is inscribed "E. Howard & Co., Reed's Chronometer, AD AHFF." The inscription "AHFF" is a coded date, 1866, reminiscent of Charles Frodsham's date code, except that the numerical values of Reed's letters correspond to their places in the alphabet, rather than Reed's name. Reed's chronometer escapement is an ingenious cross between a spring detent and a pivoted detent escapement in which the functions of the passing and the lift springs are combined in a single component. Watches featuring this escapement frequently run quite well and can keep excellent time, although Reed's escapement design may be open to the criticism that the detent is rather massive compared with those of more conventional pocket chronometers.
