B. Haas, Jne. gold and enamelled pocket watch with portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1870
This gold and enamelled pocket watch is documented by Sotheby's as having been produced in Switzerland circa 1870 for the Persian market. According to the auction catalogue, it is powered by an 18-ligne gilt lever movement signed B Haas, Jne., featuring a bi-metallic compensation balance and a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds.
The front cover showcases a painted enamel portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar encircled by diamonds and an engraved classical surround in dark blue enamel. The catalogue notes that the case reverse displays the Qajar lion and sun emblem on red engine-turned enamel, with the case and cuvette numbered 6559.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Enamelled pocket watch
- Subject
- Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar
- Case number
- 6559
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement calibre
- 18''' gilt lever movement
- Attributed market
- Persian market
- Maker / attribution
- B Haas, Jne.
Design
- Visible features
- • Front cover features a polychrome painted enamel miniature portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar in formal dress with a blue sash and white-plumed astrakhan cap. • The central portrait medallion is encircled by a pavé ring of small cut diamonds. • An outer border is executed in deep blue enamel with ornate gilt strapwork and scroll motifs. • The gold bezel, winding crown, and suspension bow are decorated with chased or engraved relief scrollwork.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The watch utilizes a B. Haas, Jne. 18''' gilt lever movement equipped with a bi-metallic compensation balance. The dial is white enamel with Roman numerals and an outer Arabic minute ring with 1/5 minute divisions. It includes gold hands and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. Condition reporting at the time of cataloguing noted the movement was functional and the hand setting was operational. The dial exhibited hairline cracks near the 3 o'clock position.
- Case Construction and Ornamentation
- The gold case is numbered 6559, matching the internal cuvette. The winding crown, bow, and bezel feature engraved scroll detailing. The front cover displays an enamelled portrait of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar, which is framed by diamonds and a border of dark blue enamel featuring gilt motifs. The rear of the case displays the Qajar coat-of-arms, described as a lion holding a sabre with the sun rising behind, set within a wreath and beneath a crown. This emblem is situated on a red engine-turned enamelled ground, surrounded by a decorative border of turquoise and blue enamel.
- Provenance and Condition Observations
- The watch is attributed to Swiss production for the Persian market, dating to circa 1870. The exterior engraving is described as bright and defined. Reported condition issues include loss of enamel on both the front and back of the case, as well as a small superficial scratch observed on the portrait.
Identification
- Serial number
- 6559
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The movement, inner cuvette, white enamel dial, and rear cover with the Qajar coat of arms are unillustrated in the primary lot image and rely on the auctioneer's catalogue note.
- Research required: The catalogue reports some loss of enamel to front and back and a small superficial scratch to the portrait.