Lot 40
  • 40

ULYSSE NARDIN | PRESENTED TO PAUL WOOTON BY PRESIDENT FRANKLYN D. ROOSEVELTPINK GOLD KEYLESS OPEN-FACED WATCH CIRCA 1928

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ulysse Nardin
  • PRESENTED TO PAUL WOOTON BY PRESIDENT FRANKLYN D. ROOSEVELTPINK GOLD KEYLESS OPEN-FACED WATCH CIRCA 1928
Dial: silvered, applied Breguet numeralsCalibre: cal. UN 17'' manual winding, 18 jewels Movement number: 26’172 Case: 14ct pink gold, snap-on back with personalised engravingCase number: 196’278 Dimensions: 43.5mm diameter Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives, three photographs of Mr. Paul Wooton with President Roosevelt circa 1943, Mr. Wooton with Prime Minister Churchill, circa 1952, and of Mr. Paul Wooton with Queen Elizabeth II, circa 1957 and a pink metal chain

Condition

DIAL: in overall good condition, some signs of pitting around the edges, Arabic numerals bears some signs of discolouration through oxidization, hands are in good condition CASE: in overall good condition with surface scratches throughout, consistent with wear and age of the piece, more scratches visible on back around 11 o'clock from opening the caseback. inside caseback stamped 14K. Caseback reads: "presented to Paul Wooton by President Franklin D Roosevelt on behalf of the Association of Business papers in Appreciation of his outstanding service to business press in time of war June 11 1943'" MOVEMENT: not running at time of cataloguing, a service is recommended Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"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

Mr. Paul Wooton was a very well-respected American newspaper correspondent during the mid-20th century. He began his career at the New Orleans Times-Picayune in 1911, shortly afterwards becoming the newspaper’s Washington correspondent, covering the First World War in dispatches. His career continued to flourish and he served as president of the White House Correspondents' Association and president of the National Press Club throughout the 1940’s.   He was particularly liked by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his important work in the press at a particulary volatile time in the United States' history. They were great friends, attending the infamous White House Correspondents' Dinner together, aswell as other important social and political press events at the time.

The inscription reads;

Presented to Paul Wooton by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, On Behalf of the Associated Business Papers, In Appreciation of His Outstanding Service to the Business Press in Time of War, June 11, 1943.

This watch is accompanied by an Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives which confirms that the watch was produced in their workshops in 1928 and then sold to the Bigalke & Eckert Co. New York within the same year. Bigalke and Eckert were the sole agents for Ulysse Nardin in the United States, and they were in business between 1920-1935.