HUNT & ROSKELL, LONDON | A RARE GOLD HALF-HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH RUBY-SET BEZEL AND ENAMEL PAINTING OF NAPOLEON III BY C. GLARDONCIRCA 1870, NO. 12632

Movement: gilded ¾ plate, lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance • signed and numbered Hunt & Roskell, London, 156 New Bond St., 12632Dial:white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, blued steel double spade hands, the centre signed Hunt & Roskell, LondonCase: gold, half-hunter, bezels to front and back set with rubies, glazed aperture to front cover surrounded by blue enamel Roman numerals and inner minute ring, red enamel L monogram on back, first cuvette plain gold concealing a secondary cuvette with a polychrome enamel painted portrait of Napoleon III wearing the sash for  the Chief of the Order of the Légion d'Honneur, signed C. Glardon, case maker’s mark AS for Alfred Stram

Dial: In good overall condition with no visible signs of chipping or cracks. Case: With some small scratches and marks throughout. Some small signs of oxidization to the case. Set rubies are all present. Enamel painting shows a small repair around the edge around 7 o'clock. Movement: Running at time of cataloguing and appears to be in good clean condition.
"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."

Louis Napoleon III (1808-1873), nephew of Napoleon I, was President of the Second Republic of France. In 1852 he became Emperor of the French and, following two prosperous decades in office, his reign was brought to an end in 1870 by the defeat of his army during the Franco-Prussian war. Charles-Louis-François Glardon (1825-1887), was a Swiss enameller made famous by his exceptionally fine enamel portraits. He was a very talented draughtsman who aimed to 'paint on the paste exactly as one paints on a canvas' (Emaux et Miniatures, Musée d'art et d'histoire, Genève, 1955, p. 20). He was trained by his equally famous and talented brother Jacques Aimé Glardon (1815-1862 ). Alfred Stram was a prolific London watch case maker who worked for many different, good quality watch making companies.