Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 99

Swiss, No. 1222, made for the Islamic Market, circa 1880. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, diamond-set hunting cased keyless watch with concealed enamel portrait, the case in the mariner of J. Ferrero.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 57,500

C. Five body, massive, "bassine ct filets " , bezels and band chased with formal decoration, diamond-set bow and winding-crown designed as a crown, cover and back with blue enamel panel with red flinque foliage decoration on the border and with large rosecut diamonds inlaid in a rosette pattern. The enamel portrait of Abdel Aziz, 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, grisaille painted, concealed within the back. Hinged gold cuvette. D. White enamel with blue and red Turkish numerals, the centre decorated with a red rosette. Gold "spade" hands. M. 16"', gilt brass, 15 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Numbered on the cuvette. Diam. 48 mm


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 21-51

Period

Partially reprinted

Notes

J. Ferrero Case maker jeweller, able engraver and enameller, he was successor to j. 1.. Simonet & Cie. He settled in Geneva, 19, rue du Rhone in 1854, and specialised in very expensive gold and enamelled watch cases, richly inlaid with diamonds and gems, made for the Chinese, Indian and Islamic markets. He also used to work with Graft, the celebrated portrait painter. J. Ferrero received the highest award at the Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893 and a gold medal at the Exposition Nationale de Geneve in 1896. He was appointed member of the Jury at the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1900. Abdul Aziz, born on November 9, 1830, was the 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1861 to 1876, and died in Constantinople on June 4, 1876. He succeeded to his brother Abdul-Medjid in June 1861 and at first seemed to be continuing the liberal politics of the "Tanzimat" (popular reforms): to reduce public debt, he withdrew his civil list and sold the crown jewels. However, it would have been an illusion to believe in such spectacular measures, and soon enough came to light a total lack of order in the finances, general administrative chaos, insubordination of several government officials, and Turkey, more than ever, was seen as "the sick man of Europe". At the same time, there were growing threats from other countries: after the insurrection of Crete (1866), which Turkey only managed to contain thanks to the intervention of western powers, there were uprisings in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1875) while horrible massacres against Christians were taking place in Bulgaria. In the meantime, the Turkish government was in sheer bankruptcy and had stopped paying interests on its European loans. Public opinion reached its worse when Abdul Aziz was placed under supervision by the Russian Ambassador Ignatiev. At this point, reformers led by Midhat Pacha forced the Sultan to dismiss the Grand Vizier Mahmoud Nedim, and then to abdicate in favour of his nephew Mourad (May 30, 1876). Five clays later, Abdul Aziz was found (lead, probably murdered, although the official version concluded that he had committed suicide by cutting his veins with scissors.