Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 251

Abdulmecid I, Pasha of the Ottoman Empire re Auguste Courvoisier, Swiss, No. 51009, made for Abdulmecid I, Pasha of the Ottoman Empire, circa 1840. Very fine and important thin 18K gold and enamel hunting-cased watch with special caliber.

CHF 28,000 - 33,000

EUR 19,000 - 22,000 / USD 22,000 - 26,000

Sold: CHF 52,900

C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", the band with champlevé enameled decoration and engraved in a vermicelli pattern, the enamel cover painted with a portrait of Abdulmecid Pasha, the border with pink and white champlevé enameled decoration, the back painted with trophies of science and astronomy over a pink flinqué enamel ground, outer painted flowers and further champlevé decoration. Hinged gold engine-turned cuvette engraved with technical details. D. White enamel with radial Islamicnumerals and centered with painted musical trophies, gilt subsidiary seconds with inner painted flowers. Gold "fancy" hands. M. 49 mm. ø (22'''), Gilt brass, bar caliber with specially designed center bridge terminating in a crescent, the bridges and going barrel engraved with foliage decoration, 19 jewels, straight line calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with flat balance spring.Signed on the cuvette.Diam. 49 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3 - 21
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Abdulmecid or Abd ul Medjid 1823-1861 31st Ottoman Sultan, who succeeded his father Mahmoud in 1839, eight days after the defeat of ezib. He was protected by the European nations against the ambitions of the Egyptian Pacha. On 18 February 1856, he signed the Hatti Houmaïoun, which improved the condition of the Christians but vigorously suppressed the insurrections in Albania, Syria, Bosnia and Montenegro. Threatened by Russia, he was supported by France and England and as a result of the Guerre d'Orient, Turkey was incorporated into the concert of European nations by means of the Traité de Paris 30 March 1856. In 1860, the Europ an nations had to be brought into Syria to help him fight the Druses. He was succeeded by his brother Abdul Aziz. Auguste Courvoisier Philippe Auguste Courvoisier 1803-1873 was at times associated with Courvoisier & Co. and also with Courvoisier Frères, but he also signed clocks and watches in his own name. He was no longer associated with those companies after 1852.