French platinum diamond and enamel pocket watch Circa 1910

Open faced keyless pendant watch with platinum chain
–
A unique and exceptionally fine French platinum open faced presentation watch made by Cartier in Paris, circa 1910 to 1911. This historical timepiece features a mechanical crown winding movement of fine quality with a lever escapement, signed Cartier Paris and protected by a pierced gold inner cuvette. The light grey guilloché dial has black Arabic numerals for the hours, a delicate outer minute track, and classic Breguet style hands. The watch is housed in a platinum open faced case. It is decorated with translucent light blue grey enamel over a guilloché ground, a diamond set bezel, and a matching diamond set border on the reverse. The case back centres a princely diamond set Indian monogram beneath a royal crown, commemorating its status as a diplomatic gift from the British Royal Family to the Maharaja of Baroda.
–
This watch is accompanied by a matching platinum chain and its original fitted leather Cartier presentation box.
–
Diameter: 42 mm
–
Weight: 63.3 g
–
Signed: Cartier Paris
–
This historic object was a gift from the English royal family to the Maharajah of Baroda, governor of one of the Indian princely dynasties under the British Empire from 1858 to 1947. To maintain cordial relations, the English Crown regularly offered sumptuous gifts to Indian princely families.