Louis Audemars Royal Presentation Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This hunting-cased, keyless pocket watch, numbered 13350, was manufactured by Louis Audemars of Brassus and Geneva, circa 1890. It was created for Umberto I, King of Italy, and retailed by C.
Morel Jeune in Marseille. The watch features an 18K gold case in the "bassine et filets" style, measuring 52 mm in diameter, with a faceted band and a hinged gold cuvette. The front cover is decorated with the champlevé enameled and diamond-set coat of arms of Umberto I. The white enamel dial displays radial Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds register, paired with blued steel "spade" hands.
The 19-ligne gilt brass movement is equipped with 25 jewels, a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. It includes a repeating mechanism activated by a slide in the case band.
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
- Minute repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- Louis Audemars
- Retailer
- C. Morel Jeune
- Dimensions
- 52 mm
- Escapement
- Counterpoised straight line lever
- Jewel Count
- 25
- Case Material
- 18K gold
- Serial Number
- 13350
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Calibre
- 19-ligne
- Maker / attribution
- Louis Audemars
Design
- Visible features
- • Front cover displays the royal coat of arms with champlevé enamel and set diamonds. • The dial features a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at six o'clock. • A repeating slide is visible on the side of the case band. • The watch is a hunting case design with a hinged cover.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The watch features a four-body case constructed of 18K gold, finished in a 'bassine et filets' style. The exterior is notable for its polished surfaces and faceted band. The hinged and sprung front cover serves as a decorative focal point, featuring the coat of arms of Umberto I, King of Italy, rendered in champlevé enamel and accented with inset diamonds. The white enamel dial is designed for legibility, featuring radial Arabic numerals and an outer track for minutes. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the base of the dial. Time is indicated by blued steel spade-shaped hands. A hinged gold cuvette protects the internal movement components.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The object is identified as a royal presentation piece attributed to King Umberto I of Italy. The source notes that the movement and case are signed, with the retailer's name appearing on the cuvette. The auction description reports an assessment of the watch's condition, noting an excellent grade for the dial, though the movement is identified as requiring an overhaul to maintain functionality.
- Movement and Repeating Mechanism
- The movement is a 19-ligne gilt brass caliber incorporating 25 jewels. Its timekeeping regulation is managed by an index regulator and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The oscillation is controlled by a cut bimetallic compensation balance. The watch is equipped with a minute-repeating complication, which provides an acoustic time signal. The mechanism is activated by a slide located within the case band, which triggers the repeating function on the internal gongs.
Identification
- Serial number
- 13350
- 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 auction house suggests the watch was made for presentation by the King, but specific presentation records are not cited.
- Research required: The mechanical condition is currently graded as 'Good' with an explicit overhaul recommended.