GEBR. EPPNER, BERLIN | A GOLD AND ENAMEL HALF-HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH ARMS AND ENGRAVED PORTRAIT BUST OF PRINCE WALDEMAR OF PRUSSIACIRCA 1905

• Movement: frosted gilded bar, lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance, swan-neck regulation, wolf's tooth winding, unsigned• Dial: white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, gilt filigree hands, sunken subsidiary seconds, signed Gebr. Eppner, Berlin• Case: 14ct pink gold, polished covers, the front with glazed aperture surrounded by blue enamel Roman numerals and minute track, back with Prince Waldemar's engraved and blue, black and red enamelled monogram beneath a crown, hand-set lever beneath bezel at 4 o'clock, gold cuvette chased and engraved with a portrait bust of Prince Waldemar and engraved "Dem Prinzen Waldemar von Preussen zur Einsegnung, 28 Maerz 1905", case maker's mark F & H within a shield, case and cuvette numbered 29141  

Movement: running and appears to be in good aesthetic condition Dial: appears to be in good condition. Case: some small chips to enamel monogram, blue enamel ribbons beneath the crown to case back with some restoration in soft enamel, couple of very light, minor depressions to the band. Portrait bust to cuvette remains very crisp.
"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."

Gebr. Eppner was a firm based in Berlin that both made their own watches and retailed pieces made by other manufacturers. Several members of the German aristocracy commissioned pieces from them, including Kaiser Wilhelm II.  Prince Waldemar of Prussia (1889-1945), like his first cousin Alexei Romanov, suffered from haemophilia. In 1945 towards the end of World War II, he and his wife fled the advance of the Russian Army to Tutzing Bavaria. They arrived on April 30th, and the U.S Army invaded the area the next day. Medical supplies were immediately diverted to treat concentration camp victims nearby, thus preventing Waldemar from receiving the blood transfusions he vitally needed. As a result, he died a day later, on May 2nd, 1945.