Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 14, 2017

LOT 204

ISABELLA II (1830-1904), QUEEN OF SPAIN (1833-1868)

Longchamp & Pizzala, Geneva, No. 20 200, circa 1860. Extremely fine and equally rare open-face, key-winding and setting, royal presentation pendant-watch, made for the Spanish court. Unnumbered, 18K yellow gold, round-shaped; fluted case- band; the cover set with several rose-cut diamonds forming the cipher "I 2", the initials of Isabella II (1830-1904), Queen of Spain (1833-1868), stamped by a Royal closed crown witHEIGHT tiaras, on dark blue translucent enamel, said to be Royal blue, on guilloché (engine-turned) background, surrounded by a garland of foliage in "ors paillonnés"-technique (tiny motifs or spangle/ glitter/sequin cut into gold leaf) sous fondant (under flux); the case-back decorated en suite with a multicoloured coat of arms of Spain, stamped by the same crown with the gold collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece intermediate with the light blue and white ribbons of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, surrounded with the same garland interspersed with fleur-de-lys; gold cuvette (back-dome) engraved in taille-douce (fine cut), with scrolled decorations and technical specificities. White enamel, with black painted radial Roman numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands.. 31 mm. (14'''), frosted gilt brass, bridge calibre with barrel, 10 rubies, straight-line equilibrated lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel flat hairspring, polished steel endplate, index regulator.