Swiss hunting cased minute repeating keyless lever watch Circa 1892

Pink gold repeating full hunter watch by Patek Philippe & Co.
–
A Swiss pink gold hunting cased minute repeating keyless lever watch, circa 1892. This watch features a 19″damascened movement signed and numbered by Patek Philippe & Co., Geneva, No. 90923. It includes a lever escapement, a bimetallic compensation balance, and two steel hammers striking on a gong. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and spade hands.
The case is made of 18k pink gold with plain polished covers and showcases a polychrome enamel portrait of Blanche Culbertson on the inside cover. The polished cuvette is signed and engraved with Fabriquée par Patek Philippe & Co., pour Dr. Leigh H. French from Blanche, October 1, 1894, No. 90923. An accompanying extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirms that this watch was made in 1892 and sold on August 8, 1894.
–
Diameter: 51 mm
–
Signed: Patek Philippe & Co. Geneva
–
The movement is running smoothly. The dial is in good condition. The polished case shows light scuffs throughout. Rivets are visible and can be felt through the front cover. There is a slight indentation on the rear cover. The enamel portrait remains in good condition.
–
Dr. Leigh H. French and his wife, Blanche (née Culbertson), became embroiled in a high profile society scandal in 1894, widely covered by American tabloids.
–
Blanche was set to inherit a substantial fortune from her recently deceased father, millionaire William Culbertson. However, shortly before his death, William altered his will to disinherit Blanche if she married Dr French, as the family disapproved of his rumoured philandering. Despite this, Blanche and Dr. French defied the odds and secretly married. The couple relocated to New York and successfully sued for Blanche’s share of the inheritance (refer to The Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, June 28, 1893, and The New York Times, June 22, 1893).
–
It is believed this was a gift from Blanche to her husband shortly before their wedding on June 27, 1893.