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Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 126

Timekeeper with 7 ComplicationsHumbert, Ramuz & Co, Chaux-de-Fonds Swiss, circa 1890, given to General Armando Diaz by Italian King Vittorio Emanuele III, in 1924, upon receiving the title of Maresciallo d'Italia.Very fine and historically important, large, 18K gold and enamel, hunting-cased, keyless, astronomical, perpetual calendar, minute-repeating watch with phases of the moon and chronograph.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

USD 19,000 - 25,000

Sold: CHF 34,500

C. Solid, "Etui", polished, the cover bears the monogram of King Vittorio Emanuele III surmounted by a royal crown, in translucent imperial blue and red champlevé enamel over flinqué, the back cover polished and bearing the dedication "AL MARESCIALLO D'ITALIA ARMANDO DIAZ, DUCA DELLA VITTORIA", gold hinged cuvette over glazed bezel for viewing the movement, double lift spring. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute ring, outermost seconds division with five-minute Arabic markers,our subsidiary sunk dials for days of the week, date, months on the leap year cycle and aperture for enameled phases of the moon on a gold base concentric with subsidiary seconds. Gold "spade" hands. M. 45 mm (20'''), nickel, 32 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, "swan-neck" micrometric regulator, wolf-tooth winding wheels, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Maker's punch on the movement.Diam. 64 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Since Diaz became Field Marshal in 1924, and the watch definitely dates from before 1892 when Charles Humbert Fils started using the "Avenir" punch, the watch must have been in the Royal Collection, being taken from it by King Vittorio Emanuele III for the occasion of the nomination of Diaz as Field Marshal of Italy.