Very fine Swiss platinum and diamond-set lever watch Circa 1920

Platinum, diamond-set open faced lever 
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An exquisite Swiss platinum and diamond-set open faced lever pocket watch, circa 1920. Bridge movement, lever escapement, screw compensation balance. The cuvette with a dedication engraving. Silvered dial with Arabic hours and outer minute divisions. The case is set with diamonds. Dial signed Theodore B. Starr, case numbered, movement numbered and signed Sandoz Switzerland.
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Diameter: 41 mm
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Weight: 44 g
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Signed: Sandoz Switzerland – Theodore B. Starr
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The former property of American businessman Maxwell H. Gluck, United States Ambassador to Ceylon from 1957 to 1958
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Maxwell Henry Gluck (1899-1984) opened his first women’s store in 1929 and turned it into an extremely successful business venture. His chain of 150 branches in 27 states would eventually be the second most important chain in this line of business. As a supporter of the Republican Party in the 1950s, Gluck was appointed by President Eisenhower to serve as United States Ambassador to Ceylon, today’s Sri Lanka. The dedication on the watch refers to this period in time: To the United States Ambassador to Ceylon, Maxwell H. Gluck. Gluck later devoted himself to the breeding of thoroughbred horses and purchased the Elmendorf Farm in Kentucky. Together with his wife Muriel, he established the Max H. Gluck Foundation to support the poor.
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Jeweller Theodore B. Starr was founded in 1862 by Theodore Starr in New York. He was in a partnership with Herman Marcus for several years, who went to Tiffany’s in 1877. The company existed until 1923.