Two rare Swiss 18K gold and enamel presentation watches Circa 1890

Two rare full hunters
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Two rare Swiss 18 carat gold and enamel hunting cased presentation watches with the portrait of Naser Al-Din Shah of Persia, circa 1890. Lever movement, 10 jewels. White enamel dial. One case on the front centred by a peinture sur émail portrait of Naser al-Din Shah of Persia in a royal interior, the back with the Lion & Sun crest of Persia over a red guilloché ground, the surround with varicoloured bouquets bordered on each side by polychrome enamel floral sprays. The second case also with a centred peinture sur émail portrait of Naser al-Din Shah of Persia in a royal interior on the front and the reverse with the Lion & Sun crest of Persia over guilloché ground, the surround with blue scrolling foliate horizontally bordered by vases with pink bouquets. Both cases numbered.
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Diameter: 46 and 49 mm
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Signed: No name
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The fine peinture sur émail portraits featured in these two watches are that of Naser al-Din, Shah of Persia. The Shah’s reign from 1846-1898 became the third longest reign in the Iranian Monarchy’s history, spanning close to 50 years. He became the first leader of his country to visit Europe. On the second of his three tours of Europe in 1873, he recorded his travels in a diary which was later translated into several languages. During that trip, Queen Victoria appointed him a Knight of the Order of the Garter, one of the greatest orders of chivalry second only by the Victoria, and George Cross.
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He was particularly interested in technology and the fine arts especially inspired during his tours in Europe. Though never formally trained, the Shah himself was an avid painter and photographer. These fine hunting cased watches match the interest of the Shah seamlessly. His likeness and Persian crest are deftly rendered in the enamelling techniques revered in Europe. These watches were likely commissioned as a gift to his hosts during his travels.