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OUR HISTORY
A Legacy Built on Community and Trust
Much like the watches, jewelry, and coins we proudly auction, the Jones & Horan story spans generations. It all started on the Jones’ 200-acre family dairy farm in Goffstown, New Hampshire.
In the 1940s when George F. Jones, father of current co-owner George E. Jones, ran his dairy farm, customers weren’t required to settle up with traditional currency. Many patrons came to the Jones farm specifically to barter with George F. for dairy by trading items from their homes or barns. As the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and his young son soon discovered he had a gift for finding those treasures. George E. would help his father buy and sell these items, fueling what was to become a lifelong passion for antiques and auctions.
By the time he reached adulthood, George wasn’t just supporting the family business – he had become an antique dealer in his own right, selling through auctions and building a reputation for honesty, fairness, and deep knowledge.
Keeping It in the Family
When George married Patty Horan, she left a fulfilling career as a schoolteacher to earn her auctioneer’s license and join her husband to fully commit to the auction business. In 1985, the couple founded Jones & Horan Horological Auctions, fully dedicating themselves to the world of fine watches, vintage pocket watches, jewelry, coins, and other collectible treasures.
Through tireless work and a steadfast commitment to integrity, Jones & Horan grew into one of the most respected horological auction houses in the country, and the largest by volume with close to $8 million in annual sales.
Resident Experts Ensuring Integrity
One of the pillars of Jones & Horan’s success is our in-house specialists. George and Patty have put together a team of the some of the finest wristwatch, pocket watch, and coin experts in the United States – each with years of hands-on experience evaluating, authenticating, and describing pieces with precision and care.
For families handling an estate, this expertise eliminates the stress of managing the entire process on your own. In fact, our reputation of handling high-ticket estate consignments with care is one reason we were trusted by comedian Red Skelton's wife, Lothian, to handle his estate of fine jewelry and watches. Every one of our clients receives the same level of care and respect to ensure their loved ones’ possessions are understood and positioned to maximize the final value at auction.
For bidders, our specialists provide clear, accurate descriptions based on direct examination of each item and not speculation or assumptions. Every lot is cataloged with honesty and transparency, allowing buyers to bid with complete confidence even when they are unable to attend an auction in-person.
Whether you are selling a family heirloom or searching for your next grail piece, our experts provide confidence and total peace of mind.
Building Upon Tradition That Endures
What started as a small New Hampshire dairy farm willing to work out a fair deal has become a leading horological auction house for 40 years and counting. Consignors and bidders keep coming back to Jones & Horan for the expertise, incredible selection of quality lots, and an unwavering commitment to honesty. While new and exciting items are always being offered for sale, Jones & Horan's tradition of integrity will always remain.
It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we commemorate the loss of our friend and coworker, Brody Allen. Every day he was a breath of fresh air, bringing a genuine love for the work and for our clients. His enthusiasm was contagious, drawing out the very best in us day to day. Words cannot express the depth of the loss he leaves behind, nor the truly gigantic shoes left to fill. He is deeply missed by all of his friends and family here.
2002-2026
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