James Howden

James Howden was a Scottish watchmaker based in Edinburgh. He was apprenticed as a watchmaker in 1764 at the age of 15 with Alexander Farquharson completing his indenture in 1771 under James Cowan. He then opened his own shop and started what was to become a very successful family clock making and jewellery business in Edinburgh.

He became a master watchmaker in 1775 and met with great financial success, largely due to the location of his shops in the busiest parts of Edinburgh. He died in 1810 passing his business on to his two sons James and William.

Like his father before him, James Howden Jnr. was a well respected clock and watchmaker. In 1828 he went into partnership with his assistant William Brown forming James Howden & Company.