Lot 118
  • 118

UHRENFABRIK-UNION, GLASHÜTTE IN SACHSEN | A VERY FINE GOLD AND NIELLO HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH ENGRAVED PROFESSOR GRAFF DECORATION AND ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF MINERVACIRCA 1910, NO. 44056

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 CHF
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Description

  • Uhrenfabrik-Union, Glashütte in Sachsen
  • A VERY FINE GOLD AND NIELLO HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH ENGRAVED PROFESSOR GRAFF DECORATION  AND ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF MINERVACIRCA 1910, NO. 44056
  • diameter 60.5mm
• Movement: 1a quality, gilded three-quarter plate, gold lever and escape wheel, jewels carried in screwed gold chatons, bi-metallic compensation balance, decoratively engraved balance cock with precision swan-neck regulation, diamond endstone, signed and numbered Glashütter Uhrenfabrik Union, no.44056• Dial: white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute track, sunken centre, recessed subsidiary seconds, gold Louis XV style hands, signed Uhrenfabrik Union Glashütte in Sachsen• Case: 14ct pink gold, Louis XV, highly decorated, chased and engraved on both sides with Professor Graff decoration, the front centred with a blank cartouche, the back centred with an engraved head of Minerva in profile, each of the central cartouches surrounded by cornucopia, a pair of doves above and a heart beneath, all against a niello ground, borders of flower heads, bezels, band, pendant and bow with repeated geometric chased and engraved motifs, plain polished gold cuvette, further glazed movement cover, hand-set lever beneath bezel at 4 o'clock, covers and cuvette signed Uhrenfabrik Union Glashütte bei Dresden, case back and cuvette numbered 44056, case front numbered 56

Provenance

Dr. H. Crott Auktionen, A. Lange & Söhne Glashütter Uhren, 27 April 1991, lot 102

Literature

Reinhard Meis, A. Lange & Söhne Watchmakers of Dresden Vol II, 2012, p.397, figs.1127-1129

Condition

Movement: running at time of cataloguing. Winding and hand-setting smoothly. The switch between hand setting and winding the user has to depress the pusher to the crown. Dial: the chapter ring slightly creamier in colour than the whiter dial centre, a few small scratches. Case: decorative scheme remains clear, some small chips and losses to niello. Scratch to bezel of case front lid at left of pendant. Multiple small marks and light scratches over the whole case surface.
"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."

Catalogue Note

During the reign of Wilhelm II, watches in oversized and highly decorated cases were tremendously popular; cases that were heavier, jewel-set and/or highly chased and engraved were especially sought after. Emil Lange recognized this trend and was responsible for leading the company forward in creating watches to meet this demand. The engravings to the case of this watch are based on designs created by Professor Carl Ludwig Theodore Graff, (1844-1906,) Director of the Royal College of Arts and the Art Museum, Dresden. Graff's designs were based on Renaissance themes and featured a range of elements from fruit, vines, rams' heads, birds and ribbons to architectural motifs. One of Graff's 'signature' features was the head of Minerva which was frequently incorporated within a central cartouche by the highly skilled case decorators, either as a polychrome enamel painting or a chased and engraved roundel.

For examples of motifs and designs of Professor Graff see Reinhard Meis, A. Lange & Söhne The Watchmakers of Dresden, Vol. II, pp. 122-127, pls. 345-364.