KAISER FRANZ JOSEPH PRESENTATION POCKET WATCH

Description:

KAISER FRANZ JOSEPH PRESENTATION POCKET WATCH
FRANZ JOSEPH I (1830-1916) Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the other states of the Habsburg monarchy from 2 December 1848 until his death on 21 November 1916. He concluded the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which granted greater autonomy to Hungary and created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. He ruled peacefully for the next 45 years, but personally suffered the tragedies of the execution of his brother Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico in 1867, the suicide of his son Crown Prince Rudolf in 1889, the assassination of his wife Empress Elisabeth in 1898, and the assassination of his nephew and heir-presumptive, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, in 1914. Impressive presentation niello silver pocket watch with case, bearing on one side Franz Joseph's distinctive personal seal in relief with excellent detail. The opposite side bears an image of an inverted horseshoe (for luck), above a riding helmet, crop, and saddle, all surrounded by laurels. The cover of the dial is engraved: 'Remontoir Ancre Ligne Droite 15 rubis' [‘Stem-wound - Straight Line Lever - 15 rubies [i.e. jewels]', with the serial no. '23801'. The watch remains in operating condition, and is complete with an ornate silver watch chain. It is presented in a brown leather covered case with push button latch. The watch is in very fine condition, the case is worn. A fine royal relic.