51,750 CHF
The Kaiser Wilhelm II Uhrenfabrik Union Glashütte bei Dresden, No. 44033, enamel signed by John Graff, circa 1900. Extremely fine and possibly unique massive 18K gold hunting-cased keyless watch with a painted on enamel portrait of Kaiser Willhelm II. Five-body, the front with a very finely painted on enamel portrait of Wilhelm II, polished back, bezels and band engraved with a floral pattern, stamped with Dürrstein’s “portal” mark reserved for the watches made entirelyin the factory. White enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring with five-minute red Arabic markers. Notes Uhrenfabrik Union Glashütte bei Dresden was founded on Jan 1, 1893 by Dresden wholesaler Johannes Dürrstein, who wished to have his own manufacturing company. The trademark “Union” was registered earlier. The organization and technical management was entrusted to Julius Bergter, who had worked for Dürrstein for many years previously. All financial and administrative functions were filled by the Dresden headquarters. The company very quickly became a leading German manufacturer of precision and complicated watches. In 1895, for the anniversary exhibition of the Glashütte industry, the Uhrenfabrik Union presented the most complicated German watch ever made (the “Universal Uhr”). During its entire existence the company produced about 27,000 watches. Some, like the present one, were of outstanding quality. Certain watches sold by the company used ebauches bought in Switzerland, possibly featuring an esc
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
