Seeland

Seeland, No. 370026, Swiss, made for the Indian market, with a very fine enamel portrait by J. Graff, circa 1890. Extremely fine 18 ct. gold and enamel, hunting cased, ruby and diamond set keyless watch. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", the cover with a magnificent enamel portrait of a Maharaja painted and signed by J. Graff and inlaid with diamonds and rubies, outer chased floral decoration. The back with the blue champleve enamelled monogram of the Maharaja (Dslightly restored) and outer decoration matching that of the cover. Gold cuvette. White enamel with Roman numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. GiIt brass Louis XV pasteset hands. 18-, gilt brass, 15 jewels, partly in screwed settings, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring with swan neck micrometric index. Signed on the movement, enamel signed. In very good condition. Diam. 51 mm. Notes The portrait represents "His Highness Sawai Mahendra Sir Pratahsing Bahadeer, K.C. J. E., Savanad- i -Rajaha - i - Bundelkhand, Maharajah of Orchha, Tikamgarh, Bundelkhand". John Graf (Graff), 1836-1906, considered to be the foremost Swiss portraitist in enamel of the later half of the 19th century. His clientel included many of the noble familles of Europe, and working with J. Ferrero he executed portraits on watch cases destined for the Chinese and Indian markets.