German silver partly gilt open faced pocket watch Circa 1913

Silver open faced keyless lever presentation watch
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A fine German partly gilt silver open faced presentation pocket watch retailed by Gustav Hinrichs in Frankfurt am Main and made by Dürrstein & Co., circa 1913. It features a high grade gilt mechanical crown winding movement with a pallet lever escapement, a Breguet balance spring, and a swan neck fine adjustment system. It is marked with the Columbus trade name and egg logo for Dürrstein & Co. of Dresden. The white enamel dial displays black Arabic numerals for the hours, a fine outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and ornate gilded Louis XV style hands, signed Gust. Hinrichs Frankfurt am Main.
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The timepiece is housed in a round, solid silver case with rose gold plated partial gilding on the bezels. The reverse back cover is beautifully decorated with an engine turned pattern framing a raised medallion cartouche with the AW royal monogram for Prince Albert Wilhelm of Prussia. The inner protective solid silver cuvette features a relief portrait profile of Prince Heinrich (Albert Wilhelm) beneath a royal crown, framed by a laurel wreath and the engraved inscription of honour: Für 2 jährige treue Dienste Feuerwehrm. Joseph Alex Kgl. Feuerw. Laborat. Spandau 1913. The watch comes complete with its original presentation box, embossed with Zur Anerkennung, alongside the original warranty papers and a historical portrait of the recipient.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 115.4 g
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Signed: Gust. Hinrichs Frankfurt am Main & Columbus
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While the mechanical heart and layout belong to Dürrstein (Columbus), the watch as a complete personalized luxury product was finalized and issued by the retailer Gustav Hinrichs.
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Gustav Hinrichs was a prominent local watchmaker and jewellery retailer operating a private enterprise in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like many high end jewellers of his time, he specialized in customization and retailing, sourcing elite Swiss lever and precision engineered movements to house in finely crafted commemorative or luxury presentation pocket watches.
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The Columbus trade name, accompanied by its distinctive trademark egg logo, was a premium brand registered by Dürrstein & Co. Founded in Dresden in 1874 by Johannes Dürrstein, the wholesale firm grew into a massive horological powerhouse. They were famous for supplying highly reliable, high grade watch movements featuring advanced technological details like Breguet balance springs and swan neck fine regulators. These were regularly utilized in prestigious German military, civic, and royal presentation timepieces.