Exclusive Timepieces & Jewels 17 –⁠ 18 July 2019 | Monaco

Auction Details

A Selection of Pure Vintage/Contemporary Timepieces and Rare Jewels. Our first auction with Davide Parmegiani.

Session 1 starting at 3 p.m.
Session 2 starting at 6 p.m.

200 Marks & Co L.D Bombay & Poona An exceptional and possibly unique Marcks & Co. L.D. Bombay & Poona pocket watch in 18k gold with diamonds and enamel decorations, minute repeating hunter case with perpetual calen

Estimate: € 75,000 –⁠ 150,000

Model: Pocket Watch
Material: Yellow gold with enamel and diamonds
Reference N°: B/6352
Year: 1884
Case N°: B/6352
Movement N°: Gilt metal three quarter plate movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, gold cuvette
Dimensions: 53 mm

We are in the presence of an absolutely unique watch and not the classic pocket model that we are use to see. Marcks & Co., Bombay & Poona was specialized in the retail sale of watches usually equipped with Swiss movements and provided with various complications within the Indian market. It was in fact one of the most renowned and appreciated brands among the exponents of Indian high society in the second half of the nineteenth century and for this reason it managed to rise to an absolutely dominated role. Throughout his stock stood out the World Time complications, enameled cases, hunting watches but, above all, the present and unique Minute Repetition with perpetual calendar and moon phases. In addition to the complications already extremely fascinating and rare to find, the absolute peculiarity of this watch is that it is specially created for the Order of the Star of India, a cavalry order founded by Queen Victoria in 1861, and assigned for the last time in 1947 shortly after the partition of India. The decorations are unique in their kind for beauty and vivacity of colors. At the center of the back is a decoration that represents the Order of the Star of India, including a gold star with diamonds, framed by the motto “Our guide light of the sky” set in a turquoise enamel ribbon and further embellished with a pave of diamonds that open radially, the surround embellished with the collar of the Order of India composed of florets and ribbon tied leafage, centered by the British Imperial Crown at 6 o’clock. The reverse is also decorated en-suite, the demi-hunter lid with translucent blue enamel chapter ring is heighted by gold Roman numerals and bordered by rose-cut diamonds. A mixture of charm and craftsmanship as it is difficult to find around, a unique watch of its kind that would be worthy of finishing inside a museum.