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J.E Caldwaell & Co. Nickel Silver Oversized Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial, 1915 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

J.E Caldwaell & Co. Nickel Silver Oversized Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial, 1915

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1915
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
silver, enamel, nickel
Stock no.
Product 3239
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3239)
Catalogue title (original)
J.E Caldwaell & Co. Nickel Silver Oversized Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3239), this is a pocket watch, dated 1915. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver, enamel, nickel. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step back in time with the J.E. Caldwell & Co. Nickel Silver Oversized Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial, an exquisite timepiece crafted in 1915 by the renowned Philadelphia-based jeweler, J.E. Caldwell. This stunning oversized pocket watch, often referred to as a coach watch, is a true marvel of early 20th-century horology, made from high-quality nickel silver, also known as German silver, and boasting an impressive 65mm diameter. Its hand-wound movement, adorned with 15 jewels, ensures impeccable precision and accuracy, while the kiln-fired enamel dial and elegant blued steel hands add a touch of timeless sophistication. Known for their unparalleled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, J.E. Caldwell & Co. have created a piece that is not only a functional timekeeper but also a captivating conversation starter. This pocket watch, in excellent condition, stands as a testament to the artistry and skill of master watchmakers from a bygone era, making it a prized addition to any distinguished collection. This exquisite oversized pocket watch, also known as a coach watch, was crafted by the prestigious J. E. Caldwell of Philadelphia in 1915. It is made of high-quality nickel silver or German silver and measures 65mm in diameter, making it a stunning addition to any elegant desk or collection. The hand-wound movement boasts 15 jewels, ensuring precision and accuracy in timekeeping. The dial is made of kiln-fired enamel and features beautiful blued steel hands that perfectly complement the design. Caldwell is a legendary American house, famous not only for producing superb jewellery and cutlery, but also for their reputation of excellence in craftsmanship and attention to detail. This stunning pocket watch is a true “conversation piece” and sure to catch the eye of all who see it. It is a testament to the skill and artistry of the master watchmakers of its time. Creator: J.E. Caldwell & Co. Movement: Manual Wind Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 1910-1919 Date of Manufacture: 1915 Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Pocket watches

The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.

Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.

What to look for

  • The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
  • Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
  • Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
  • Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
  • Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.

Dating clues

  • Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
  • Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
  • Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

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