Geneva, May 15, 2023

LOT 257

SPECIALY MADE FOR POPE LEO XIII, MULTICOLORED GOLD

CHF 8,000 - 16,000

EUR 8,200 - 16,300 / USD 9,100 - 18,100 / HKD 71,000 - 142,000

TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE

Sold: CHF 43,750

Very fine and historically important 18K. multicoloured gold, keyless watch. Specialy made for Pope Leo XIII.
'Louis XV', box-hinged, the centre of the rose gold back cover with the Besançon coat of arms surmounted by the Papal mitre and Saint Peter's keys, all in relief against a matted ground, the bezels in green gold with laurel leaf garlands in relief, gold hinged cuvette engraved with a dedication, hinged glazed bezel under the cuvette to view the movement.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Amiet, France

Year Made in 1887

Case No. 8647

Material 18K multicolored gold

Diameter 55 mm.

Caliber 18''', very high quality, nickel, decorated with damascening pattern, bar calibre, 18 jewels, the uppermost ones in gold châtons, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold and platinum mean screws, blued-steel Breguet balance spring, wolf-teeth winding wheels, hands pin-set.

Signature on the movement, the case stamped GF in lozenge.

Accessories Original box elaborate walnut box with a dedication on the inner dome and silver armorials of the town and of Franche-Comté.

Notes

The watch was presented in 1887 by the town of Besançon to Pope Leo XIII on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his priesthood. Amiet Director of the Ecole Municipale d'horlogerie in Besançon, 1860. He created a clock calibre for the indication of the time on gas lanterns.

Provenance

Lot 97 from ''the Sandberg collection''
Published in the Sandberg book, page 218-219.