ANONYMOUS - Lot 14
ANONYMOUS No. 50785 Early 20th century Diplomatic soap watch of the Husseinite family during the French administration in 18k (750) yellow gold. Case: round, oval bezel, fluted crown with push-button, oval push-button for chronograph function, push-button for minute repeater, one face with the inscription "Mohamed Al Shayazili Bey", the other bearing the Husseinite family coat-of-arms, gold bowl Dial: white, painted black Arabic numerals, black baton minute track, skeleton hands, central chronograph hand, date counter at 12 o'clock, month window at 3 o'clock, small seconds and moon phase at 6 o'clock, day window at 9 o'clock, FAB. SUISSE at 6 o'clock Movement: hand-wound mechanical, spiral balance, lever escapement, column wheel Diameter: 56 mm Gross weight: 133.2 g With: case Condition report given for information only: sold as is, traces of wear and tear, revision markings on the case back, dial slightly faded, movement and complications functional as described, please allow for wear and tear, no warranty. This soapy chronometer shows the patronymic of Mohamed Al Shayazili Bey, the word Bey designating a prefect. In this case, it refers to the Tunisian province, under Ottoman rule from 1574 until the arrival of the French in 1881. The back shows the coat of arms of the Husseinites, a family who took control of the province in 1705, while remaining under Ottoman rule. Their power was dissolved with the creation of the Tunisian Republic in 1957. The Bey of Tunis was a great lover and collector of watches, and this piece was destined for the great diplomats or important figures who visited him, as a diplomatic gift. We would like to thank Ismaël Ricard for his kind collaboration. 
