Antique, probably circa 1840's, Swiss silver pocket watch that we believe was presented to and owned by Russian Emperor Nicholas I and was used by the Czar for his personal hunting exploits. The case of silver, from our research would hold a minimum purity of approx. 812.5/1000. The hunter case is hand chased with hound design and floral design to verso. White enamel dial with hour, minute and sub-seconds complication. Inside panel of back of case bears incised portrait of Nicholas I, with "PATENT LEVER" and 22 jewels marks. Case further marked with "ARGENT" and chevron shield mark. No apparent numbers or marks on movement but we highly suspect but cannot verify this piece to be by M. J. Tobias, famous English watch maker that was known to make pieces for Royal Families. Case numbered 28341 / 13431. Includes key. Measures approx. 3" height x 2 1/8" width (7.6cm x 5.4cm) overall including bale. Movement measures approx. 41mm diameter. Biography: Nicholas I, Nikolay I Pavlovich; 6 July [O.S. 25 June] 1796 – 2 March [O.S. 18 February] 1855) reigned as Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855. He was also the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. He was the third son of Paul I and younger brother of his predecessor, Alexander I. Nicholas inherited his brother's throne despite the failed Decembrist revolt against him. He is mainly remembered in history as a reactionary whose controversial reign was marked by geographical expansion, economic growth and massive industrialisation on the one hand, and centralisation of administrative policies and repression of dissent on the other. Nicholas had a happy marriage that produced a large family; all of their seven children survived childhood.
Condition
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