Anonymous

From the Estate of Dr. Adrian Christie SWISS, RETAILED BY M. GOLBERG IMPORTER, GOLD HUNTING CASED MINUTE REPEATING CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH POLYCHROME ENAMEL PORTRAIT OF KING EDWARD VII, LIKELY MADE FOR THE 1900 PARIS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

CIRCA: 1900s CASE NO: 2729 CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold, polychrome enamel CASE DIAMETER: 55 mm. DIAL: Blue guilloché enamel, diamond-set hands MOVEMENT: Manual, 21‘” ligne straight line lever movement, Breguet hairspring FUNCTIONS: Minute repeating, chronograph BOX: Yes PAPERS: No WITH: Presentation box REMARK: Presentation case signed for M. Goldberg Importer. Cuvette signed for M. Goldberg Importer, second plain sapphire crystal snap off cuvette.The present lot was most likely commissioned as a souvenir watch for the International Paris Exhibition of 1900. The impressive hunting case is attractively engraved throughout, featuring a polychrome enamel portrait of King Edward VII to the caseback. Interestingly, King Edward VII would not take the throne until 1901 upon the passing of his mother, Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901. Opening the hunting case reveals a spectacular and vibrant dial of translucent blue enamel over guilloché ground. Overseen by a Royal Commission, England’s contribution to the 1900 Paris International Exhibition was prominent, encompassing a national pavilion as well as displays of fine art and industrial achievement. The Estate of Dr. Adrian Christie The Estate of Dr. Adrian Christie reflects the life and passions of a man devoted both to science and the art of timekeeping. A respected pathologist with a medical degree from the University of Wales College of Medicine, Dr. Christie practiced medicine for decades while cultivating a deep appreciation for horology in his spare time. His collecting journey began during a visit to Johannesburg, South Africa, where the discovery of an antique pocket watch inspired a lifelong pursuit that spanned from 17th-century English verge watches to modern classics such as the Patek Philippe Aquanaut and Rolex Submariner. Indeed, Dr. Christie was a passionate member of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC). In his writings for the Macomb County Medical Society Journal , Dr. Christie reflected on how his fascination with watches deepened his understanding of history itself—a passion epitomized by several pieces in his collection, including a remarkable enamel-portrait pocket watch of General Rudra Shumsher, and a highly complicated hunting cased watch made in celebration of King George V. We are pleased to celebrate Dr. Christie’s collection this season and thank Mrs. Mynetta Christie for her loving anecdotes of a wonderful member of the collecting community.