UHRENFABRIK UNION GLASHÜTTE BEI DRESDEN | A VERY FINE AND RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL PORTAIT OF KAISER WILHELM II BY JOHN GRAFFRETAILED BY GEBR. EPPNER, BERLIN, CIRCA 1900, NO. 44033

• Movement: 1st quality, gilded ¾ plate, gold lever and escape wheel, bi-metallic compensation balance, swan-neck regulation, signed and numbered Glashütter Uhrenfabrik Union no.44033• Dial: white enamel with sunken centre, black Arabic numerals, outer minute track with red Arabic 5-minute markers, gold Louis XV style hands, recessed subsidiary seconds, signed by the retailer Gebr. Eppner, Berlin• Case: 18ct pink gold, the cover with polychrome enamel painted portrait of Kaiser Wilhelm II signed J. Graff, the back with matt yellow metal finish, the case band heavily chased and engraved with scrolling flowers and foliage, slide for hand-set beneath bezel at 4 o'clock, plain matt yellow finished case back, bow decoratively chased and engraved with repeated geometric motif, glazed movement cover, plain polished gold cuvette, case covers and cuvette signed Uhrenfabrik Union Glashütte Bei Dresden, back and cuvette numbered 44033, front numbered 33  

Antiquorum Geneva, 14 November 2004, lot 71

Reinhard Meis, A. Lange & Söhne Watchmakers of Dresden Vol I, 2012, pp. 398-399, figs. 1130-1132

Movement: running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good aesthetic condition. Dial: appears to be in good overall condition. The enamel portrait panel with small scratches to the surface. Case: Case back is much more yellow and matt in appearance than the pink gold finish of the rest of the case. Case with Swiss and German hallmarks to all covers
"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."

Kaiser Wilhelm II, who ruled from 1888 until his abdication in 1918, is perhaps best known as the last German Emperor and King of Prussia.   Two significant events, both political and personal, occurred early in Wilhelm's life and would go on to have a significant influence for years to come. The political event was the formation of the German Empire under Prussia in 1871. As second in line to the throne under his father, Frederick III, this event led to a swell in nationalistic pride for Wilhelm, who was determined to "win a place in the sun" for Germany during his reign. Unfortunately, he had a sharp temper, which led to some damaging political decisions, such as firing the chancellor Otto von Bismarck. He also meddled negatively in foreign relations, and caused major financial strain on the government in an attempt to build a naval fleet to rival the British. By World War I, he became a shadow leader, having very little real power for himself, and abdicated shortly before the end of the war in 1918.

The main event happened at his birth. Due to a traumatic breech, Wilhelm was left with a withered left arm that remained some 6 inches shorter than his right arm. Thus, when depicted in Royal portraits, he became adept at hiding the disfigurement. While his arms are not visible on the present piece, one can notice how he sits at an angle presenting the right side of his body further forward, so he can more easily obscure the view of his left.