A gold automatic sweep seconds wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial, Universal Genève, circa 1955

18k, nickel lever movement, mono-metallic compensation balance, cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of Saudi Arabia with a palm tree and crossed sabers, outer polished chapter ring engraved with hour markers in Arabic, circular water-resistant-type case, case and movement signed, with associated 18k gold bracelet and double deployant clasp.

Prior to 1949 cloisonné decoration on dials was usually reserved for pocketwatches due to the difficulty of manufacture. With the improved techniques of designers, such as the company of Charles Poluzzi, the cloisonné dial for wristwatches became quite popular during the 1950's. Charles Poluzzi (1899-1978) was a celebrated miniaturist and enamellist. He produced dials for such watch companies as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex. Other watch companies, like Universal Genève and Omega, also employed the cloisonné technique on wristwatch dials they produced during this period, as with the present lot.