UHRENFABRIK-UNION, GLASHÜTTE IN SACHSEN | A LADY’S GOLD AND ENAMEL HUNTING CASED WATCH WITH PROF. GRAFF CASE CIRCA 1900, NO. 55175

• Movement: 2nd quality, gilded three-quarter plate, gold lever, bi-metallic compensation balance, signed and numbered Uhrenfabrik Union, Glashutte, No. 55175• Dial: white enamel, double sunk, Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds at 6 o 'clock, signed  Uhrenfabrik Union, Glashutte in Sachsen• Case: small engine turned and highly engraved Louis XV style case chased on both sides with decoration in the style of Prof. Graff  and with niello inlay, gold cuvette, case with German gold marks and signed Uhrenfabrik Union, Glashutte, Bei Dresden 

Dial: in good condition Case: scuffs throughout but overall in good condition Movement: movement running at the 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."

Uhrenfabrik Union was founded on 1 January 1893 by the Dresden wholesaler Johannes Dürrstein and the 'Union ' trademark quickly became one of Germany's leading manufacturers of the highest grade watches, which included among others a small series of complicated timepieces such as pocket chronometers, tourbillons, perpetual calendar, repeating and striking watches.  The Dresden school of applied arts produced a huge array of decorative designs for watches under the privy-councillor Professor Carl Ludwig Theodor Graff. The themes were very often architectural but also might have included themes from illustrated  manuscripts such as cornucopia, leaves and scrolls. Minerva's head is also engraved to the central cartouche on this example..

For similar examples of Professor Graff watches, see Reinhard Meis, The Watchmakers of Dresden, PP. 204-205