Boucheron, An historical gilt silver and diamond-set desk timepiece of the transatlantic liner 'France' offered to French President General de Gaulle at its inauguration May 11, 1960

• cal. 222 manual winding lever movement, 8 days • gilt silver dial, diamond-set Arabic and baton indexes, ruby and sapphire-set hands with a diamont to the centre • gilt silver case decorated with ropes in a shape of a ship's wheel, mounted on a rectangular obsidian base, applied with presentation plaque engraved 'France, 11 Mai 1960' • movement signed Jaeger, case signed Boucheron

de Gaulle family,
Sotheby's sale, Geneva, May 2010, lot 256,
Private collection

Movement running while cataloguing, an overhaul is however recommended for it to be fully operational. Hands slightly overlaping. Dial and case with some scuffs and tarnishing and could benefit from a gentle clean. This historical desk timepiece is a testimony of the transatlantic liner 'France'. Presentation case signed Boucheron and France 11 mai 1960. Copy of the certificate dated 2009.Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The online condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance purposes only. The images of the lot also form part of the online condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Any reference to condition in the online condition report does not amount to a full description of condition. The online condition report may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the online condition report of the lot or shown in the online images of the lot (for example, the online condition report may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome). Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. The online condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the online condition report is a statement of subjective, qualified opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's (for example, information regarding colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's). Please also note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. In addition, certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot (for example, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades). For these reasons, the online condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. Prospective buyers should also refer to the Buying at Auction guide which includes important notices concerning the type of property in this sale. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species. Please be advised that wristbands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS (ONLINE ONLY).

Accompanied by a copy of a Boucheron certificate and its original presentation case.

The clock was a gift to General de Gaulle on the occasion of the France's inauguration. It is referred to as The Cordage, as mentioned in the certificate accompanying the piece. It was made by Boucheron, the famous Parisian jewelers who were established in 1858 and were synonymous with luxury and taste.

The construction of the transatlantic liner France began on the 7th of October 1957, led by the company Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire. The construction was the height of innovation and technical progress for its time, and the entire ship building industry of the country was involved.

This was the largest liner in the world and was launched on the 11th of May 1960 in Saint-Nazaire on behalf of the Transatlantic General Company. The President of the French Republic, General Charles de Gaulle, and his wife Yvonne, patron of the liner were present, in front of a vast crowd of people from all over France to attend this national event. General de Gaulle made a historical speech, ''Et maintenant, que France s'achève et s'en aille vers l'Océan pour y voguer et servir ! [...] Vive le France, vive la France!'' (And now, that France concludes and goes towards the Ocean to sail and serve! [...]\Long live France, long live France!).

The France set sail on its first transatlantic cruise in January 1962 in the presence of Michel Debré, the Prime Minister at the time. The voyage from Le Havre to New York City took five days. Very luxuriously decorated, the liner could transport up to 1806 passengers and cruises had a resounding success until 1974.