The Collection of a Connoisseur 掌上的百年風華: 鐘錶及裝飾藝術收藏
The Collection of a Connoisseur 掌上的百年風華: 鐘錶及裝飾藝術收藏
Auction Closed
July 14, 12:35 PM GMT
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
SWISS
RETAILED BY E. MANSBERGER, MADRID: A LADY'S GOLD, DIAMOND, RUBY AND EMERALD-SET HUNTING CASED MINUTE REPEATING KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH ENGRAVED PORTRAIT MADE FOR THE SPANISH CROWN
CIRCA 1885, NO. 106508
nickel lever movement, jewelled to the centre, bi-metallic compensation balance, repeating on coiled gongs, signed E. Mansberger, Madrid, grey enamel dial with white Roman numerals and minute ring, the centre painted with birds and flowers, fleur-de-lys hands, gold case, the back with applied crown motif set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds and centred with translucent red flinqué enamel, the back with diamond, emerald and ruby-set monogram MC, the bow similarly set, the winder in the form of a crown, repeating slide to the band, cuvette with portrait engraving of King Alfonso XII, case numbered 106508, suspended from a diamond and gem-set chatelaine surmounted by a crown, the upper panel with a diamond-set fleur-de-lys
diameter 33mm
Christie's South Kensington, 29 March 2000, lot 61
The present watch appears to have been made for Maria Christina of Austria (1858-1929) who became Queen of Spain as the second wife of King Alfonso XII (1874-1885). The case front has the monogram MC and the cuvette is engraved with a portrait of Alfonso XII who died at just 27 years of age on 25 November 1885. Alfonso XII and Maria Christina's son and successor, Alfonso XIII, was not born until 17 May 1886 and, during his minority, Maria Christina acted as regent.