MERMOD, GENÈVE | A MAGNIFICENT GOLD AND GILT-METAL, TURQUOISE AND DIAMOND-SET HUNTING CASED WATCH THE COVER WITH AN ENAMEL PAINTED UNDERCARVED ROCK CRYSTAL BAVARIAN PEACOCK POSSIBLY FOR LUDWIG II OF BavariaCIRCA 1870

• Movement: unsigned nickel lever movement, 15 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, subsidiary seconds• Case: gold and gilt-metal the cover with intaglio of a Bavarian peacock naturalistically painted in polychrome enamel and with glazed cover, the back with lozenge-shaped turquoises interspersed with rose-cut diamonds within gold lozenge-shaped settings, heavily cast bezels and bows of scrolls, flowers and foliage, winding crown surmounted by a leaf-form boss, plain rounded band, the gold cuvette with decorative engraving, movement details and signed Mermod Genève

Antiquorum Geneva, 16 October, 2005, lot 252

Dial: Scratch to the edge of the dial above 12 o'clock but otherwise dial appears to be in good clean condition. Peacock with some loss of enamel paint to the edge of the feathers to its right side, otherwise vibrant and very attractive. Some very small and minor splits and pin holes to the cast bezels, larger split to back bezel to top left side. Case: Back attractively set with turquoises and diamonds, there are five discoloured turquoise to upper left of the case back. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing but would likely benefit from a service.
"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."

The present watch was likely one of several watches made as a special request of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria from 1864 to 1886.  The flamboyance of the piece demonstrates Ludwig's extravagance and Romanesque life which characterized his reign. It is believed that Ludwig commissioned several watches as presentation gifts, all of which were uniquely decorated.  The present watch with its undercarved rock crystal panel shares similar treatment with another Ludwig watch, which depicts a well carved Bavarian Lion, see Martin Huber, Die Uhren von A. Lange & Sohne, 1988, p. 41. The decoration seen here includes the Bavarian flag composed of turquoise and rose-cut diamonds, while the reverse is set with an under carved rock crystal panel with a Peacock in full plume.  Although Ludwig was known most famously as the Swan King, another favourite animal of the King’s was the Peacock.   Around 1870, Ludwig stepped back from politics and focused on passion projects, including the King’s House on Schachen.  Built between 1869-1872, Ludwig used the house as a venue for birthdays and anniversaries.   Most notably, he decorated one room, called the “Turkish Room” in an elaborately Oriental style, and included a replica of the Famous Peacock Throne.  The Peacock Throne was an extravagantly jewelled throne used by Mughal Emperors in India.  Peacocks, with their ostentatious brightly coloured plumage, served as a brilliant decorative motif that fit Ludwig’s lavish aesthetic.

King Ludwig II was born at Nymphenburg Castle, outside Munich, on August 25^th, 1845. He had just turned 18 when he ascended the Bavarian throne following the death of his father.  One of the first acts of his reign was to invite Richard Wagner to his court in Munich. Ludwig II is perhaps best remembered as the great composer's patron and for the commission and the construction of several extravagant fantasy castles:  Neuschwanstein – a dramatic Romanesque fortress with soaring fairy-tale towers whose walls are decorated with frescos depicting scenes from Wagner's operas; Linderhof – an ornate palace in neo-French Rococo style with handsome formal gardens; and Herrenchiemsee – a replica of the main building of the Palace of Versailles.

By 1885, Ludwig's extravagant projects put him in serious debt.  His ministers started seeking a cause to depose him by constitutional means. They finally decided that he was mentally ill and unable to rule.  Ludwig was arrested and transported to Castle Berg on the shores of Lake Starnberg. The day after, the King's body was found in the shallow water. His mysterious death remains unsolved to this day.