Vivien's enamel and diamond fob watch

the brooch designed as a bow, suspending a navette-shaped pendant housing a watch with a white enamelled dial, Arabic numeral indicators and blued steel hands, beneath a circular aperture, on a blue enamelled ground, set throughout with rose diamonds, the reverse partially inscribed Tournés les Eguilles... à droit.

Possibly a gift from Laurence Olivier

Please note that this watch was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. Movement running at the time of cataloguing. From top to bottom, the three holes at the reverse of the watch are regulating, setting and winding. Diamonds bright and lively, estimated total diamond weight approximately 0.50-0.70 carats. Scratches to glass. Enamel dial with some cracks. Minor chips to blue enamel around diamond settings. Brooch perhaps a later addition. Winding key stamped 'A.Wood, 319 Commercial Rd E, Watchmaker and Jeweller'. Sliding fitting to reverse in good working order. Traces of solder to areas of reverse of brooch. Pin fitting in good working order. Areas of minor discolouration to metal surfaces and light scratches throughout consistent with age and wear. Condition good, commensurate with age. Box stamped Chippendale.
"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.
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."

In the 1948 Notley Abbey Inventory (The Vivien Leigh Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum, London THM/433/6/1) there is a vitrine cabinet (lot 55) and a collection of thirteen watches listed, many are gem-set and enamel and most are antique (op. cit, p. 18-20). The present watch may have formed a part of this group, which shows Vivien was a collector of fine, jewelled watches. The collection was diminished, possibly as a result of two burglaries and a further infamous incident in the April of 1960. Joan Fontaine and Vivien swapped apartments in London and New York and the actresses tenure in each others home did not end well. Joan Fontaine was to write, (No Bed of Roses, New York, 1978) 'It seems she had an étagère filled with valuable watches that Laurence Olivier had given her. When I arrived at Eaton Square, I had had the housekeeper put away anything of value. I never saw the watches, but now they were missing ... Despite the fact that I never received a report from the F.B.I., or from Vivien, as to whether they were found or not, a New York columnist printed that I had stolen the valuable timepieces'. Perhaps the present lot is a survivor from this incident.