PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE., GENÈVE | A FINE GOLD HUNTING CASED LEVER WATCH WITH ENAMEL IMPERIAL ARMS OF EMPEROR FRANZ JOSEPH OF AUSTRIA, RETAILED BY A. BACHRUCH, BUDAPEST1901, MOVEMENT NO. 117.404, CASE NO. 227.698

Movement: 19''' frosted gilded, moustache lever, wolf's tooth winding, bi-metallic compensation balance, signed and numbered Patek Philippe & Cie, No.117404   Dial: white enamel, sunken centre, Arabic numerals, outer minute ring, recessed subsidiary seconds, blued steel moon hands, signed Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève  Case: 18ct gold, full hunter, stepped bezels, the front with champlevé enamel, translucent and polychrome enamel painted monogram and crown of the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, cuvette engraved Faite pour la maison A. Bachruch, Four. de la cour Imp. & Roy, Budapest, and signed and numbered Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No.117404, with unusual linear stepped crown, inside case back and cuvette numbered 227698, inside front numbered 98

Sotheby's Geneva, 19 November 1991, lot 82

Movement: running when wound at the time of cataloguing Dial: clean with no visible cracks Case: the case is in good order, very minor chipping to the very bottom edge of lower left branch beneath monogram.
"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."

Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1901 and sale on 26 November the same year. The extract notes: "case with painted coat of arms and initials". Antal Bachruch was an important silver and jewellery retailer and importer, located in Budapest at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries.

Franz Joseph 18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916 was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, King of Bohemia from 1848 until his death, making him one of the longest serving monarchs to date. In the aftermath of the Austro-Prussian War, his empire was divided into a Dual Monarchy, in which Austria and Hungary coexisted and were ruled equally. In 1914, following the assassination of his nephew and heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Franz Joseph issued an ultimatum to Serbia which essentially led Austria and Germany into World War I.