Antoine Freres

Antoine Freres, Besancon, Hors Contours, Paris, 1889, made for Umberto I, King of Italy, retailed by G. Gonfalonieri, Giojelliere, Milano Roma, circa 1890. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel, half hunting cased, diamond-set keyless presentation watch of Royal provenance, accompanied by the matching gold chain, in original fitted presentation box decorated with the Royal Crowned "U". Four body, massive, "bassine" , polished, the cover with black champleve enamelled Roman numerals on border of the dial aperture, the the back with the champleve enamelled diamond-set coat of arms of Umberto I, King of Italy. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel with Arabic numerals and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. Notes Such watches were usually bought by sovereigns in order to be presented to important visitors or in recognition of loyalty. Other watches with the same provenance were sold by Antiquorum in Geneva on October 14, 1990: one made by Vacheron & Constantin, lot 42, the other by Patek Philippe, lot 308. Another one, sold in Geneva on October 19, 1997, was made by Patek Philippe, lot 522. All the others were retailed by Musy Padre & Figli, Torino. Umberto I (1844-1900) Was born on March 14, 1844, in Turin (Piedmont), Kingdom of Sardinia, Duke of Savoy and King of Italy. His marriage to his cousin Margherita Teresa Giovanna, Princess of Savoy, on April 22, 1868, and the birth of their son, the future Vittorio Emanuele III, on November 11, 1869, also gai Read more…