Historically important Swiss 14k rose gold lever Circa 1917

Rose gold hunting cased keyless lever by International Watch Co
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A very fine and historically important Swiss 14 carat rose gold hunting cased keyless lever pocket watch, circa 1917. Made to commemorate the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 and presented to his chauffeur by Franz Joseph I on July 9, 1917, in thanks for services rendered during a visit to Sarajevo on July 27, 1914. Frosted gilt movement, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator. Polished case, the front engraved with the cipher of Emperor Franz Joseph beneath a crown, the back engraved Sarajevo 28.VI.1914. Gold hinged cuvette with engraved signature. White enamel dial with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds dial and original blued steel spade hands. Dial, case, cuvette and movement signed, case numbered. Accompanied by the original fitted box embossed in gold with the Habsburg arms and a letter attesting to the provenance of the watch.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: International Watch Co Schaffhausen
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This watch was given by Franz Joseph I to his chauffeur as a commemoration of the death of his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The letter of provenance states that it was given for services rendered during a visit to Sarajevo on July 27, 1914, presumably to see the site where his nephew had been assassinated. It is presumed that the chauffeur was the same who had been driving Archduke Franz Ferdinand on the fateful day.
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Franz Joseph I
Franz Joseph I was born in 1830, the son of Franz Karl, Archduke of Austria. In 1854 he married Elisabeth of Wittelsbach. On February 8, 1867, the Austrian Empire gave way to a double Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The new state, called Austria-Hungary was set up as the union of two independent countries under allegiance to the same sovereign. Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth were crowned King and Queen of Hungary.
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Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated at Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. He was the nephew of Franz Joseph I and heir to the throne. His demand for redress from Serbia for the assassination had severe consequences. It led to Franz Joseph attacking Serbia in 1914 which sparked the First World War and the collapse of Austria-Hungary