Important Collectors Wristwatches, Po...

Geneva, Nov 14, 2009

LOT 343

Cloisonne Dial ? Saudi Arabia 1953 Commemoration Universal Genève, case No. 1399664, Ref. 50204. Made in 1949 in limited numbers. Fine and rare, center-seconds, self-winding, 14K yellow gold and cloisonné enamel wristwatch, to commemorate the founding of Saudi Arabia by King Abdul al-Aziz III Ibn Saud (1880-1953).

CHF 6,000 - 9,000

USD 6,000 - 9,000 / EUR 4,000 - 6,000

Sold: CHF 12,000

C. By A. Gerlach, three-body, solid, polished, straight lapidated lugs. D. Two-piece, bombe, polychrome cloisonné enamel on gold, with counter enamel, No. 3661 SJ (for arms of Saudi Arabia) representing the Arabian Peninsula, the palm tree and crossed swords and a mosque representing Mecca, surrounded by a yellow gold plain reserve with hand-engraved dedication in Arabic characters ?Abdul al-Aziz Ibn Saud? at 12 and ?Saudi Peninsula? at 6, Islamic numerals 1 to 11. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 139, rhodium plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, index regulator, buffered rotor. Case and movement signed. Dial marked by the dial maker on the back under the counter enamel. Diam. 33 mm. Thickness 12 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Universal ordered this dial from Singer, who supplied the gold plates, a flat outer circle for the inscriptions and the hours, and a bombé gold center, to be enameled by the artist. Cloisonné enamel dials marked SJ are quite unusual. This technique was a Genevan specialty and the are numerous examples in the Stern Frères collections.
There are unfortunately no archives for Jean Singer's production after a major fire completely destroyed the factory on winter 1955. At the same period this watch was produced, Universal Genève made watches with enamel dials representing Egypt and India (see lots 339 and 340) as well as Saudi Arabia (the present lot).