Swiss gold yellow gold persian medallion watch Circa 1970

Yellow gold Persian medallion watch
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A rare Swiss, yellow gold Persian medallion watch depicting Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, made in 1970. Manual winding nickel lever movement, 17 jewels, monometallic balance.
Gilt sunburst dial, applied yellow gold baton indexes, baton hands, 18 Carat yellow gold case, chased bezel with a star motif, coin edged case band, pointed bow, chased case back depicting Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (The last Shah of Iran).
Case, dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 31.5 mm
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Signed: Vacheron Constantin Genève
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Accompanied by a small leather sleeve.

Vacheron Constantin has long mastered the making of coin watches in many variations, from ultra thin to concealed watches to wristwatches. The firm first achieved the design in 1850, when Vacheron Constantin was commissioned to create a watch covered within a Russian coin. Since then, they have integrated a variety of coins from around the world in their designs for these pieces.

This watch is especially unique for its provenance and design. Inspired by Persian medals commemorating the Twelve Laws of the White Revolution issued in 1962, this watch is beautifully rendered with an open faced dial and bezel with chased star motif. The timepiece was likely a special commission from the Royal court of Iran, made in 1970. Depicting Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi, the second and last monarch of the House of Pahlavi, the Iranian government often gifted commemorative pieces like this. Indeed, the present lot comes to us from the original owner, who received the timepiece from the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran upon his visit to Washington, DC, in 1971.

The timepiece likely commemorates the White Revolution, a far reaching series of modern reforms launched under the leadership of Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi, which promoted rapid industrial, military and economic modernization and liberating social reforms for women.