97,000 CHF
Catherine the Great. Pickett & Rundell, London, hallmarked 1783-84. Very fine and historically important 22K gold and enamel diamond-set royal presentation watch, presumably given to Empress Catherine the Great by King George III of England. 31 mm., hinged, frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, lateral calibrated lever escapement, steel 3-arm balance with flat balance spring, single-footed cock.Signed on the movement.Diam. 41 mm. Notes An interesting watch with a royal provenance. Rundell was a watchmaker to the king who had close ties to many of the royal courts of continental Europe (see Antiquorum, April 2003, lot 546, for a watch made for Louis Philippe).All known watches made by Rundell, either in his partnership with Pickett or with Bridge, are of very high quality. The Carnegie Museum and the Wilsdorf Collection Rolex contain enameled and diamond-set watches by him which are similar to this one. His reputation was evidently so great that kings and queens honored him with their commissions.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-10-11
