Swiss 18 caratgold enamel and diamond set watch Circa 1875

Gold enamel and diamond set hunter cased watch presentation watch
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A Swiss gold enamel and diamond set hunter cased presentation watch, circa 1875, nickel lever movement, bi metallic compensation balance, wolf’s tooth winding, gold cuvette.
White enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, the front panel centred by a polychrome enamel with a portrait of Naser al-Din Shah of Persia within an architectural setting, the surround overlaid with translucent green enamel over engine turned ground, with foliate and ribbon engraved border set with rose-cut diamonds, the reverse with the Lion and Sun crest of Persia, the surround further set with translucent green enamel and gold engraved foliate and ribbon border.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Signed: No Name
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The portrait on the present watch is that of Naser al-Din Shah of Persia. During his reign from 1846-1898, 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.

He was particularly interested in both the technology and paintings he saw in Europe. The present lot combines those interests seamlessly. It features his portrait in finely painted polychrome enamel to the front, and the Persian Lion and Sun crest to the reverse. This piece was likely commissioned as a gift to his hosts during his travels.