The Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Co...

Geneva, Apr 03, 2005

LOT 164

?Peter the First of Serbia? Vacheron & Constantin, Genève, No. 331041, case No. 200679. One of a series of twelve watches made for Peter the First of Serbia in 1905. Very fine and historically important, keyless, 18K yellow gold Royal presentation dress watch. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

CHF 8,000 - 10,000

EUR 5,000 - 6,500 / USD 7,000 - 8,500

Sold: CHF 9,775

C. Four-body, "demi-bassine", solid, case back engine turned engraved with Peter the First's coat of arms, hingedgold cuvette. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Yellow gold"Breguet" hands. M. Cal. R.A. 19''', frosted gilt, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic com-pensationbalance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, index regulator.Dial, case and movement signed.Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 14
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Peter I, King of Serbia (1844?1921) King of Serbia (1903?18) and king of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (1918?21), Peter I was the son of Prince Alexander of Serbia (Alexander Karadjordjevi). He was brought up in exile in Geneva and Paris while the Obrenovi line ruled Serbia, and he fought in the French army in the Franco-Prussian War (1870?71). In 1875, he joined the Bosnian insurrection against the Ottomans. The assassination (1903) of King Alexander of Serbia brought Peter to the throne. Peter proved an able and conscientious ruler and restored dignity to the court of Belgrade. He reformed the constitution, the army, and the school system and fostered improved methods of agriculture. The outstanding figure of his reign was Nikola Pai, who directed Serbian policy in the Balkan Wars (1912?13) and in World War I. Early in 1914 Peter, who was in poor health, retired from active rule and his son, later King Alexander of Yugoslavia, became regent. Peter took part in the retreat (1915?16) of the Serbian troops through Albania to Corfu. In 1918 he was chosen to rule the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (later known as Yugoslavia), while his son and successor remained regent.