J.W. BENSON, LONDON | A FINE GOLD AND ENAMEL HUNTING CASED WATCH WTH MULTIPLE TIME ZONES MADE FOR THE INDIAN MARKET1869, NO. 30515

• Movement: gilded three-quarter plate movement, lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, decoratively engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, signed and numbered J. W. Benson Watch & Clock Maker to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, 25 Old Bond Street, London, 30515• Dial: silvered dial, satin finished chapter ring with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, dial centre decoratively engraved with foliate scrolls, four sunken subsidiary dials each with gilded boss to their centre and displaying time in London, Mecca, Constantinople and New York, blued steel hands, signed J. W. Benson, London• Case: 18ct gold, the cover with polychrome enamel painted cartouche depicting a bouquet of flowers against a light blue opaque enamel background, gold scalloped border, outer enamel ring composed of translucent green and opaque white enamel stylised flowers against a translucent guilloché red enamel ground, case back with similarly decorated enamel border and centred with an enamel monogram, all against a translucent red enamel ground over engine-turning, gold bezels and band with stylised flower heads, case back hallmarked London 1869, plain polished cuvette with central aperture to simultaneously adjust all time zones via a single setting square, aperture for winding, case front, back and cuvette with case maker's mark AS for Alfred Stram and each numbered 30515

Antiquorum Geneva, November , 2002, lot 159

Dial: With a few spots to the chapter ring and some light tarnishing but generally in good overall condition. Case: Some light scuffs and scratches to the enamel. Decorative engraving to case remains crisp. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. 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. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. 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 any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. 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.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."

**Please be advised that bands 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."

At the time of the sale of this watch at Antiquorum in 2002, it was said to have been made for the Indian market and had the initials of the Nizam of Hydrabad,   The Sixth Nizam of Hydrabad was Asaf Jah VI, born Mir Mahbub Ali Khan in 1866. He became Nizam in 1869 at age three and served as Nizam until 1911. 

The present lot was likely a gift at the time of he became the Nizam.