138,000 CHF
LeCoultre & Cie. No.2782, Swiss, made for the Maharajah Orchha, circa 1900. Exceptionally fine 18ct. gold, enamel and diamond set hunting-cased, minute-repeating keyless watch with chronograph and instantaneous 30 minute recorder, the portrait enamelled by J. Graf. our body massive, "bassine et filets", chased on the band and bezels with leaf work and scrolls, the cover with a superb enamel portrait bust of the Maharajah, signed J. Graf, his turban and neck chain set with small diamonds, the back with applied gold and partially blue enamel coat of arms. Gold cuvette. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute and chronograph ring, sunk subsidiary dials for seconds and minute register. Blued-steel "spade" hands. Notes Interestingly the full title of the sitter for the portrait is engraved on the cuvette: "His Highness Sawai Mahendra Sir Pratahsingh Bahadeer, K.C. J. E., Savanad- i -Rajaha - i - Bundelkhand, Maharajah of Orchha, Tikamgarh, Bundelkhand. John Graf (Graff),1836 - 1906,considered to be the foremost Swiss portraitist in enamel of the latter half of the 19th.centur .His clientel included many of the noble families of Europe, and working with J.Ferrero (see note to following lot ),he executed portraits on watch cases destined for the Chinese and Indian markets.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-10-20
