Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
Geneva, Nov 16, 2008
LOT 224
Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, No. 381883, case No. 647335. Made to commemorate the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 and presented to his chauffeur by Franz Joseph I on July 9, 1917, in thanks for services rendered during a visit to Sarajevo on July 27, 1914. Accompanied by the original fitted box embossed in gold with the Habsburg arms and a letter attesting to the provenance of the watch. Very fine and historically important, 14K pink gold, hunting-cased keyless pocket watch.
CHF 4,000 - 6,000
USD 3,700 - 5,500 / EUR 2,500 - 3,800
Sold: CHF 11,400
C. Four-body, ?demi-bassine?, polished, the front cover engraved with the cipher of Emperor Franz Joseph beneath a crown, the back cover engraved ?Sarajevo 28.VI.1914?. Hinged gold cuvette with engraved signature. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel spade hands. M. 41 mm.,18''', frosted gilt, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case, cuvette and movement signed. Diam. 56 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
This watch was given by Franz Joseph I to his chauffeur as a commemoration of the death of his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The letter of provenance states that it was given for services rendered during a visit to Sarajevo on July 27, 1914, presumably to see the site where his nephew had been assassinated. It is presumed that the chauffeur was the same who had been driving Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the fateful day.
Franz Joseph I
Franz Joseph I was born in 1830, the son of Franz Karl, Archduke of Austria. In 1854 he married Elisabeth of Wittelsbach. On February 8, 1867, the Austrian Empire gave way to a double Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The new state, called Austria- Hungary was set up as the union of two independent countries under allegiance to the same sovereign. Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth were crowned King and Queen of Hungary.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. He was the nephew of Franz Joseph I and heir to the throne. His demand for redress fromSerbia for the assassination had severe consequences. It led to Franz Joseph attacking Serbia in 1914 which sparked the FirstWorld War and the collapse of Austria-Hungary.