Longines

• Cal. 10.85, manual winding circular gilt lever movement • silvered dial, Breguet numerals • guilloché hexagonal case with translucent blue-gray enamel overlay, rose-cut diamonds surrounding the dial, the band set with calibré-cut rubies, cabochon ruby-set crown, the reverse centered by a neoclassical lady against a green enamel background, encircled by rose-cut diamonds, completed by a diamond-set pendant fitting • dial and movement signed, case numbered and stamped with the maker's mark JV within a lozenge for Joseph Vergely

A lovely piece. The movement is running at the time of cataloguing, however it may require service soon. The dial is slightly aged as one would expect for a piece of this age. The enamel is in very good overall condition, with one very small portion of loss at the edge of the reverse of the 1:30 position, and four small rose cut diamonds lacking to the frame around the portrait to the reverse. The casemaker's mark is a JV within a lozenge with a tree between.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Longines confirms production of this watch and sale to Hauser-Zivy, the firm's Paris branch, on June 15th, 1910. The archives record that the case was produced in France under the Longines license.

Joseph Vergely, the casemaker for this watch, made his name at Cartier by exhibiting a special talent for the creation of watches in charming novelty forms, such as coin watches and the present lot. He was well regarded among his peers, known as 'Père Vergely' and collaborating closely with his colleague Edmond Jaeger.

It is interesting to note the similarity between the present lot by Longines and a published example by Cartier. A strikingly similar watch, hexagonal in form with blue enamel over engine-turning, diamond-set bezel, and calibré-cut ruby-set band, made by Jaeger and Lavabre for Cartier in 1908, is illustrated in Nadelhoffer, H., Cartier, p. 293, pl. 353-4. A discussion of Joseph Vergely can be found in the same text, p. 292. Bearing in mind Vergely's renown in Paris, and his close work with Jaeger, one can easily conclude that both watches were created in the same workshop.