# Is "Watchers" by Dean Koontz a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Watchers by Dean Koontz (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1987) is identified by: Putnam's Sons hardcover first (published February 2, 1987), with a full number line counting down 10 through 1 on the copyright page. US Putnam (1987) is the true first; the UK Headline edition followed in 1987.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover first (published February 2, 1987), with a full number line counting down 10 through 1 on the copyright page
- The first-issue jacket carries the printed price and the publisher code 8702 at the foot of the front flap
- One of Koontz's most collected titles; light page-edge toning is common to the title
- Publisher imprint reads G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dean Koontz |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Year | 1987 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover first (published February 2, 1987), with a full number line counting down 10 through 1 on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
G.P. Putnam's Sons hardcover first (published February 2, 1987), with a full number line counting down 10 through 1 on the copyright page. The first-issue jacket carries the printed price and the publisher code 8702 at the foot of the front flap. One of Koontz's most collected titles; light page-edge toning is common to the title.

## Is this the true first?
US Putnam (1987) is the true first; the UK Headline edition followed in 1987. Charnel House later issued a signed limited edition (collectible as a first thus).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Putnam book club edition lacks the printed jacket price and the 8702 code, is lighter and smaller, with a blind-stamped dot or square to the rear board and no complete number line to 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Watchers* by Dean Koontz a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/watchers
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.