A silver open-faced keyless watch, No. 14306, John Walker, London, circa 1875

Gilt three quarter plate gilt lever movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, black enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, silver case with glazed display back with polychrome enamel cypher of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, the band engraved with the inscription ‘From Alix, 11^th October 1875’, diameter measuring approximately 475mm.

Sotheby's, The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor, Geneva, Friday 3rd April 1987, Lot 250.

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT GUARANTEE WATCH MOVEMENTS The movement is fully wound and not running at the time of cataloguing. Dial in good condition. We believe the glass is subject to crystallizing, otherwise known as glass sweating. The case with scuffs and tarnishing. The colour of the blue band of the enamel to the cypher appears to be fading.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910.

The eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Edward held the title of Prince of Wales for longer than any of his predecessors. Christened Albert Edward at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 25 January 1842 he was named Albert after his father and Edward after his maternal grandfather Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and was known as Bertie to his family throughout his life.

Prince Edward was married to Princess Alexandra at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on the 10th March 1863, establishing Marlborough House as their London residence and Sandringham House in Norfolk as their country retreat, where they entertained on a lavish scale.

During the long reign of his mother, he was largely excluded from political power and came to personify the fashionable, leisured elite, performing ceremonial public duties, pioneering the concept of royal public appearances, representing Britain on visits abroad, including tours of North America in 1860 and the Indian subcontinent in 1875.

The inscription 'From Alix, 11^th October 1875’, refers to Princess Alexandra who gifted the watch to her husband, Prince Edward ( later Edward the VII), on the occasion of his visit to the Indian Subcontinent in 1875, undertaken aboard the converted Indian troop ship H.M.S. Serapis returning to Portsmouth on 5th May 1876.