A Diamond-Set Gold Minute Repeating Chronograph Imperial Presentation Watch Sennet Frères, Paris, and circa 1889 3-3/8 x 2-5/8 inches (8.6 x 6.7 cm) (pocket watch) 180 grams (gross) Circular, the chased repousse cover with an equestrian image of Emperor Alexander III, and set with an old mine cut diamond representing the sun, case no. 474759 and factory signed cuvette no. 474759, the inside front with facsimile signature in Russian "Maria" for the Empress Maria Feodorovna, the dial in white enamel with Roman numerals, sunken subsidiary seconds hand, railroad track indicator chapter ring and a calibrated chapter ring, reticulated gold minute and hour hands, center chronograph seconds hand, glazed back, push-button activated chronograph and repeat, with rose gold and platinum fob and chain, the fob depicting the harbor at Helsinki, and inscribed in Russian Helsingfors VIII 9 1885, with original red Morocco presentation case, the gilt eagle effaced from lid. The Imperial subject of this exquisite repeater and the facsimile signature of the Empress Maria Feodorovna suggest that this watch was a gift from the Empress to her husband in remembrance of their 1885 State visit to Finland, or perhaps a presentation gift from the Empress to one of the entourage from the trip. The fob, with its representations of the harbor at Helsinki and the August 1885, and the watch, circa 1889, support this premise. In 1885, Emperor Alexander III made his first visit to the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous governate of the Russian Empire. The Emperor traveled with his entire family, including the Empress Maria Feodorovna, their son the Heir-Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich (later Nicholas II), many relatives, and an impressive number of members of the Imperial Cabinet, including the minister of the Imperial Court and the Minister of War. From the 8th until the 10th of August, the Imperial Family kept engagements culminating in a ball in the Emperor's honor. Sennet Frères was founded by Albert Weill in Paris in 1870 and until the first world war provided luxury Swiss watches in gold cases to the Russian market, with offices in St. Petersburg. After the Russian revolution, the firm reopened in Hong Kong in 1920, where it still exists today. Property from an Important Private Collection HID03101062020 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS"