Note: This watch was obviously ordered by Maréchal Marmont, but delivered to his wife whilst he was away on campaign with Napoleon.
AUGUSTE-FRÉDÉRIC-LOUIS VIESSE DE MARMONT Duke de Raguse Marshal of France (1774 -1852)
Born in Châtillon-sur-Seine in 1774, Auguste de Marmont was from a very early age the object of unfaltering admiration on the part of his family, who harbored great hopes for his future. In his teens, de Marmont was to display keen interest in anything even remotely linked to the military, an attraction which is better understood in light of the family ancestry, which boasts a number of proud military records. De Marmont's father, recognizing the youngster's obvious inclinations, soon gave up any idea of having him follow a career in the administration. Instead he sent him off to Dijon in 1789, to obtain the qualifications which would eventually enable him to be admitted into the army. De Marmont's first encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte dates from that time, neither man foreseeing of course, in those early days, what history had in store for them. In 1792, at eighteen years of age, he graduated with honors from the military school in Châlons, and joined the army shortly after as a Second Lieutenant in the artillery. In November of that year, he was instructed to join up with the 1st regiment in Metz, and was subsequently dispatched to Grenoble and then to the Tournoux garrison. Displaying intelligence and courage, he was quickly promoted to the rank of Colonel. His education meant that he could be employed in delicate missions, where more than mere bravery was required. De Marmont was for instance sent on a mission to Venice in 1797, to put to the local government a proposal of alliance with the French Republic. Other such assignments were to follow, some on the express orders of Napoleon Bonaparte himself. These included the successful recovery of the Loreto war booty - estimated at over one million Francs - after the Italian surrender in Mantua. Around that time, de Marmont married mademoiselle Perregaux, the young and charming daughter of a wealthy Parisian banker, after having refused the hand o Princess Pauline, Napoleon's very own sister. He was to display once again that same quality of bravery, when he established his pedigree as a true military man in the campaigns of North Africa. Valiantly fighting against the Mameluks of Mourad-Bey, he captured Alexandria and then Cairo in quick succession. More successes followed and de Marmont was awarded a number of illustrious honors, including that of Marshal of France, in recognition of services rendered to the country. On the strength of his military record, he was honored with the title of Duke of Ragusa, by which he is remembered today. De Marmont was also elected to the Science Academy and became a prolific writer after his retirement from the army. In his treaty entitled De l'esprit des institutions militaires, he exposes fascinating theories on the art of warfare. Other writings include the infamous Memoires which the editor Perrotin was to publish posthumously, consisting of no less than nine volumes of virulent criticism directed at everyone but himself. It is possibly for this reason that de Marmont's name is today synonymous with that of an opportunistic trouble-maker, whose besetting sin was excessive selfesteem and who never hesitated to draw the fullest personal advantage from whatever situation arose during his intrepid existence.