Ladies' Pendant Watch, Rose Gold Star Case, Acanthus, c.1905
The ladies pendant pocket watch was the Edwardian era's answer to wearable jewellery with a purpose. This example pairs a Swiss manual-wind movement with a rose gold-filled case produced by the Star Watch Case Company of Elgin, Illinois - one of America's specialist case-makers, founded in 1899 and known for quality gold-filled production.
The case is the standout: every surface covered in dense hand-engraved acanthus scrollwork, the pendant bow fluted, an uninscribed cartouche at centre back. The white enamel dial carries five applied gold star motifs at the centre and a daisy-bordered chapter ring - characteristic of the decorative fancy dials popular in the 1900s.
It runs. Winds smoothly, sets correctly, keeps going. The dial has hairline cracks in the lower enamel - visible on close inspection and noted honestly here. The case and movement are in good order throughout.
A wearable piece of the Edwardian era, as suited to the jewellery cabinet as the collector's display case.
