Lot 59

H. R. Ekegrén

A fine, rare hunting case precision pocket watch for the American market, made for J. E. Caldwell & Co. jewellers, Philadelphia

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Henry Robert Ekegrén (1823-1896) was born in Denmark and completed his apprenticeship in the shop of Urban Jürgensen & Sonner in Copenhagen. He worked a season for Jules Jürgensen in Le Locle, then went on to work in London and Paris. In 1847 he worked for a year for Henri Golay in Geneva, then for ten years for its successor company Golay-Leresche. He also worked for Winnerl and Adolph Lange before establishing his own company with Ferdinand Westermann in Geneva. The Geneva Observatory always gave H.R. Ekegrén a high rating for its pocket chronometers, as did other contests. He was one of the most awarded Swiss watchmakers. The Journal 'Suisse d' Horlogerie' noted not only that Ekegrén was a first-rate timer, but also that he allowed no one else to direct his business and that he was always seeking to elevate the level of the chronometric art.
Source: "Swiss Timepiece Makers" by Kathleen H. Prichard, West Kennebunk 1997, p. E18-20.

J.E. Caldwell & Co. Philadelphia have been among the finest jewellers in the U.S. since 1839.