Howard is almost obsessed with timing things. Unfortunately, he recently broke his most precious watch, so he buys a new timepiece. Walking from the jewelry store, he hears the gong of the clock in the Public Square which gongs at the hour and half hour. Just when he finishes walking up to his apartment someone asks him for the time. Howard immediately responds ''It's 2:35!'' Now, at the time he gives the time, Howard is not wearing a watch. The new watch is still in the box, which is sealed, and not transparent. Nor is it an audio-watch that tells time. He doesn't hear someone else say what time it is either. Howard also has a quirk about time. He never asks anyone for the time, never looks at a clock, a watch, or anything that tells time that isn't his and on his wrist. He also never counts past the number 12, but still remains efficient at whatever he does. Therefore, how did Howard know it was, precisely, 2:35. (Oh, and he was correct).