J.E. CALDWELL & CO., 18K GOLD, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET PAIR CASED MINIATURE KEYLESS LEVER PENDANT WATCH

With a diameter of only 18.5mm., the present movement is among the smallest of its kind known to exist. It was possibly made by the Geneva based manufacturer H.R. Ekegren, regular supplier of J.E. Caldwell & Co.

It is enclosed by a pink gold frame with glazed back, the white enamel dial with Roman and outer Arabic numerals in the style of an antique pocket watch. The small outer case with glazed front is finely decorated with translucent green enamel over engine-turned background, centred by a painted enamel putto surrounded by a diamond-set scroll border.

Comparable pair cased pendant watches, generally fitted with a repoussé outer case, were also manufactured by Patek Philippe.

James Emmett Caldwell (1813-1881) began his career as an apprentice to a silversmith in Philadelphia. In the early 1830s, he opened his own watch and jewellery shop which became known as J.E. Caldwell & Company in 1848. The company retailed watches made by the most celebrated manufacturers, notably Ekegren and Patek Philippe.