Fine and rare Swiss gold hunting cased watch Circa 1850

Fine and rare gold watch with calligraphic bridges
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A fine and rare Swiss 18k gold hunting cased watch with calligraphic bridges, circa 1850, gilt jeweled lever movement, bimetallic compensation balance, the regulator in the form of a raised detailed lion couchant whose paws hold the curb pins, the bridges of the movement specially designed to spell London in graduated letters, signed gold cuvette.
White enamel dial with floral and foliate decoration inset with gold Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds with star motif to the center, blued steel moon-style hands, engine-turned case with oval cartouche to the center of the front cover bordered by engraved floral and scroll decoration, cuvette signed and numbered, case numbered.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Signed: Golay-Leresche
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Auguste Golay’s (1814-1895) extensive and influential watchmaking career began in Geneva in the early 1830s. In 1837, he founded Golay-Leresche, incorporating the name of his wife, Susanne Leresche. Upon his death, his sons Pierre and Louis partnered with Edouard Stahl and renamed the company Golay Fils & Stahl.

The present lot was likely created for the first Great Exhibition, inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1851, as the bridges of the movement were specially cut to spell London and the inclusion of the Lion as the regulator. It was around this time that Victoria’s five-pound coin was introduced which featured Victoria as Una leading the Lion.