Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 10, 2013

LOT 327

LONGINES - IMPRESSIVE PINK GOLD & ENAMEL WATCH FOR THE GERMAN IMPERIAL FAMILY HOHENZOLLERN Longines, No. 693503. Sold to Longines' Berlin agent Döbel on April 11th, 1896. Extremely fine and rare, large and impressive, 18K pink gold and painted on enamel, hunting cased keyless lever Chronometer pocket watch for the German Imperial family. Accompanied by a letter from Longines confirming the technical and sale details from the archives.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

HKD 125,000 - 165,000 / USD 16,000 - 21,000

Sold: CHF 25,000

Four-body, bassine, the band and borders deeply chased with flowers and foliage, the front cover decorated with a very finely painted on enamel grisaille figure of a female warrior representing the House of Hohenzollern, gold paillon highlights, translucent royal blue enamel background over sunray engine-turning, polished back. Hinged gold cuvette engraved with the Longines prize medals and engraved 'Grand Prix Paris 1889', glazed gold-rimmed cover over the movement. White enamel with large Arabic numerals with gold stars between, outer gold dot minute divisions, subsidiary seconds. Gold Louis XVI hands. Cal. L21 SN `Chronomètre`, matte gilt, half-plate, 20 jewels, the upper jewels in screwed gold chatons, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, upper pivot of the lever with gold jewel cap, cut adjusted bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring with overcoil, cam micrometer regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered and with Swiss and German gold marks.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
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

Notes

DIAM. 56 mm. This very fine watch in excellent condition is housed in a heavy pink gold case beautifully decorated in enamel with the symbol of the German Imperial House of Hohenzollern. The Longines archives confirm the sale of the watch to their Berlin agent Döbel on April 11th, 1896. It is probable that this watch was intended for the German Emperor William II (1859-1941), German Emperor (kaiser) and King of Prussia from 1888 to the end of World War in 1918.