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J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

American

With intricate and refined artistry, the jewelers at J.E.Caldwell & Co. have been handcrafting illustrious watches and adornments — including cocktail rings, engagement rings and link bracelets — for nearly two centuries. The American firm, which is among the oldest silver and jewelry companies in the United States, has found acclaim with collectors and buyers worldwide.

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, J.E. Caldwell & Co. founder James Emmott Caldwell (1813–81) apprenticed as a silversmith and subsequently trained in watchmaking under the esteemed watchmaker Samuel Ward Benedict in New York City. Following his apprenticeships, Caldwell sought work in Philadelphia, initially securing a position with a wholesale jeweler before importing watches for a jewelry manufacturer. In the late 1830s, he established a storefront of his own, in a stately marble building on Chestnut street. Caldwell partnered with James M. Bennett thereafter in order to launch a jewelry shop nearby that they called Bennett & Caldwell. With the passing of Bennett, Caldwell partnered with a former employer, John C. Farr, and changed the company name, establishing the J.E. Caldwell & Co. of today.

In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the first World’s Fair held in the United States. Alongside the Gorham Manufacturing Company — a legendary but largely overlooked American silver firm — J.E. Caldwell showcased an array of stunning jewelry and silver objects at the event’s Centennial International Exhibition. In the early 1900s, J.E. Caldwell was contracted to fashion a presentation silver tea service — more than 160 pieces — for a newly commissioned battleship, the U.S.S. Pennsylvania. The brand’s exquisite silver wares traveled at sea aboard this battleship — and later, on the U.S.S. Valley Forge — for decades.

J.E. Caldwell & Co. became known for exquisite Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry. Ownership of the firm passed through the family over the years before changing hands to business interests outside of the family. Today a J.E. Caldwell & Co. retail location continues to operate in Philadelphia.

Find antique and vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co. jewelry on 1stDibs.

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Creator: J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Antique Art Deco J. E. Caldwell Old Euro Diamond and Pearl Evening Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco J. E. Caldwell Old Euro Diamond and Pearl Evening Watch. This gorgeous J.E. Caldwell watch is crafted in platinum. This gorgeous watch has old European cut...
Category

1920s Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

J.E Caldwaell & Co. Nickel Silver Oversized Pocket Watch with Enamel Dial
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J. E. Caldwell of Philadelphia STYLE / REFERENCE: Oversized Pocket Watch or Travel Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver or German Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 65mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Kiln Fired Enamel / Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is great looking oversized pocket watch sometimes called a coach watch...
Category

1910s Swiss Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E. Caldwell by Mimo Art Deco Asian Themed Enameled Desk Clock circa 1930's
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Mimo for J. E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Pocket Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt Yellow Gold and Kiln Fired Enamel CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SI...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E.Caldwell Stainless Steel Oversized Chronograph Manual Wind Watch, 1940s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E.Caldwell / by Valjoux STYLE / REFERENCE: Full Size Three Register Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1940's DIMENSIONS: Length 44mm X Diameter...
Category

1940s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E. Caldwell Nickel Finished Doctor's Chronograph Manual Wristwatch, 1920s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Mid Size Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Silver Nickel DIMENSIONS: Length 35mm X Diameter 30mm CIRCA: 1920 - 1930 MOVEMENT / CALIB...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

1950s J.E. Caldwell & Co. 14K Yellow Gold & Enamel Money Clip and Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: Featuring circa 1950s, 14K yellow gold and enamel money clip and watch that was gifted in 1956 as a famed RCA Victor (later, RCA Records) Award of Merit to an RCA sound engineer. It features the company’s iconic vintage “Nipper...
Category

1950s American Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

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Hunter Pocket Watch, Elaborately Painted Enamel, The Dial Marked Omega
Located in London, GB
A very rare decorative beautiful enamel cultured seed pearl, full-faced Hunter pocket watch, with OMEGA stamped on the dial circa. 1894 -1912, probably aimed at the export market. The ingenuity of the artisan enamelers behind this lavishly decorated pocket watch is what stands out the most. The enamel seems to be painted on either side with old masters—a figure of a woman in period dress on one side and the other side with a reproduction of “An Allegory of Venus and Cupid and A Triumph of Venus” by painter Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572). The painting displays the ambivalence, eroticism, and obscure imagery that are characteristic of the Mannerist period and is exquisitely executed. When the watchmaking industry began to boom in the 19th Century, pocket watches became the must-have tool for everyday people seeking function and style. By 1894, the most discerning customers wanted to have the very best pocket watch available, and the name OMEGA was synonymous with luxury and quality. We know the dial is in the OMEGA style and not the original, but still of some beauty and age because the forerunner of OMEGA, La Generale Watch Co, was founded at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848 by Louis Brandt, who assembled key-wound precision pocket watches from parts supplied by local craftsmen. He sold his watches from Italy to Scandinavia by way of England, his chief market. In 1894, his two sons Louis-Paul and César developed a revolutionary in-house manufacturing and total production control system that allowed component parts to be interchangeable. Watches developed with these techniques were marketed under the OMEGA brand of La Generale Watch Co. By 1903 the success of the OMEGA brand led La Generale Watch Co to spin off the OMEGA brand as its own company, and the OMEGA Watch Co was officially founded in 1903. There are also two important periods for enamel pocket watches: the first quarter of the 1600s and the two decades from 1800 to 1820. From 1800 onward, requests started coming in from China. This era saw the emergence of pocket watches and replicas made for export, some with complicated musical movements and mechanical actions whose functions were exaggerated and made visible so that buyers could marvel at their intricacy. This is an absolutely gorgeous decorative piece and is sold on its skilful enamel paintings. Enamelling is the process of decorating metallic plates in order to turn them into works of art, which takes an exorbitant amount of time to do. The pocket watch boasts an impressively large 5 cm diameter. The pale cream off-white enamel has the Swiss OMEGA symbol with Roman numerals and is signed OMEGA 1882. The circular banding design around the face of the watch is symbolic of OMEGA pocket watches of that period. The gold gilt Hunter casing is also inscribed with the OMEGA symbol. The front and back of the pocket watch are both framed with cultured seed pearl stones throughout, adding a unique touch to this lovely pocket watch. ------------------------------ Condition Report: Very Good. The enamel is intact with no signs of any deterioration. Minor scratching inside the case. 5 cm (Diameter). Our certified British Horological Institute member watchmakers inspect each watch before shipment, including final servicing, cleaning, and polishing. ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Provenance: Private collection. From a well-known independent reputable antique...
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Previously Available Items
J.E. Caldwell High Grade Minute Repeater Gold Cased Pocket Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 J. E. Caldwell Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, 47 M.M. 18K Yellow Gold 3 piece case with Gold inside dust cover. Matt Gold dial with Engine turned center and a sub seconds c...
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1910s Swiss Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

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18k Gold

J.E. Caldwell & Co. 14 Karat Rose Gold Ruby and Diamond Watch
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Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: 17 jewel swiss manual wind movement Function: hours, minutes Case: 12.60mm x 20.90mm rectangular case set with rubies and diamonds, push/pull crown Band: 14k rose gold wavy...
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21st Century and Contemporary J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

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Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

J E Caldwell Yellow Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Original Dial
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Cushion Shape METAL / MATERIAL: Yellow Gold Filled CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 34 mm X 27 mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual ...
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1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E. Caldwell 18 Karat Yellow Gold Art Deco Watch with Breguet Numerals
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Round / Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: 18kt Yellow Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 33mm X 30mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 17 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Breguet Numerals...
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1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E. Caldwell by Ekegren 14 Karat Yellow Gold Art Deco Tank Watch from 1920s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E. Caldwell by Ekegren STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tank Style METAL / MATERIAL: 14 Kt. Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: 32mm X 24mm CIRCA: 1920's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Man...
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Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

Vacheron Constantin for J.E.Caldwell Yellow Gold Manual Wristwatch, circa 1920s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Vacheron Constantin for J.E.Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Tonneau Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 18K Yellow Gold DIMENSIONS: 44mm X 23mm CIRCA: 1930's MOVEMENT ...
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1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J E Caldwell Platinum Rose and Green Gold Art Deco Manual wind Pocket Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1930 Pocket watch retailed by J.E. Caldwell. 46M.M. 2 piece case made of Platinum, 18K Rose and Green Gold, 4.5 M.M. thick. Swiss 17 Jewel Mechani...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

Materials

18k Gold

J. E. Caldwell Yellow Gold Sterling Silver Doctors Hand Constructed Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.E. Cardwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Drs. Double Dial METAL / MATERIAL: Silver and Rose Gold DIMENSIONS: 45mm X 27mm CIRCA: 1930's MOVEMENT ...
Category

1930s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J. E. Caldwell Two Color Gold Handmade Enamel Bezel Manual Pocket Wristwatch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Pocket Wrist Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 18Kt. Yellow & White Gold DIMENSIONS: 49mm X 43mm CIRCA: 1920's MOVEMENT / CALIBER...
Category

1920s Swiss Art Deco Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.E. Caldwell Silver and Enamel Desk Clock circa 1930s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Sterling silver and light purple guilloche enamel eight-day desk clock, retailed by J. E. Caldwell. Lemania manual-wind movement. Silvered dial with black Arabic numerals, circa 1930s.
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1930s Swiss Vintage J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

Materials

Sterling Silver

J.E. Caldwell Sterling Silver and Enamel Boudoir Timepiece circa 1920s
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Sterling silver boudoir timepiece retailed by J.E. Caldwell with movement by Geneva Clock Company, beautifully enameled with in green with blue peacocks, set on an onyx base, with an...
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Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

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Onyx, Sterling Silver

J.E. CALDWELL Sapphire & Yellow Gold Retro Bracelet / Watch
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chic Retro bracelet / watch created by J.E. Caldwell in the 1940's. Unusual shape, perfect proportions and sapphire accent make the bracelet a conversational piece.
The watch ...
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American J.E. Caldwell & Co Watches

J.e. Caldwell & Co. watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of J.E. Caldwell & Co. watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using yellow gold. We have 5 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider watches by Agassiz, Univeral Geneve, and Eberhard & Co.. Prices for J.E. Caldwell & Co. watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,900 and tops out at $5,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $4,400.

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