French silver and yellow gold keyless dress watch Circa 1935

Gold and silver lever watch by Brequet
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A fine and rare French, silver and yellow gold, keyless dress watch with the original presentation box with an applied gilt crown, circa 1935. Presentation watch specially made for King Farouk (No. 1880/24071). A forme collier, polished, yellow gold bezels and bow, the back cover engraved with the cypher of King Farouk beneath a crown. Hinged silver cuvette. Matte silver dial, black Arabic numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, moiré centre with signature cartouche. Black Breguet hands. A rhodium-plated movement, Geneva striping decoration, 17 jewels, counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial and case signed, movement numbered.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Signed: Breguet   Paris
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King Farouk of Egypt Born in Cairo in 1920, Farouk was the son and successor of King Fouad. Since Farouk was underage when he acceded to the throne, a regency council was formed until his constitutional powers were handed over to him in July 1937. In July 1952, under the pressure of the army’s revolution led by Mohammad Nagib (1901-1984), King Farouk was forced to abdicate the throne to his son Ahmad Fouad II who was then still a child (born 1952). Farouk left Egypt for Europe. He died in 1965 in Rome and was buried in Egypt. During his exile in Europe, Farouk became a well-established collector, particularly of small decorative objects. Among his extensive collection of objects of vertu, including several Fabergé creations, was a range of watches, primarily enamelled examples, from 1780 to 1820, with music, automata and sometimes with erotic scenes. He also favoured watches made for the Turkish or Far Eastern markets and was fond of modern watches, whether pocket or wristwatches, by the most prestigious makers. Whenever he had to present a gift, it would often be a watch.