Le Coultre Duchess Of Wellington C1850 Antique Solid 18k Gold Diamond Watch

  

ANOTHER SPECIAL MUSEUM QUALITY IMPORTANT PIECE FROM ANTIQUETIME. OFFERED TODAY IS THIS UNIQUE MUSEUM PIECE 18 CARAT GOLD ENAMEL DIAMOND RUBY AND SAPPHIRE FULL HUNTER LADY'S FOB WATCH BY HIGH END MAKER LE COULTRE. DECORATED WITH A MARCHIONESS CORONET AND THE ENGRAVED INITIALS E. WHICH I BELIEVE REPRESENT THE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON ELIZABETH HAY. According to some extensive research including being in contact with an Armorial specialist.

Lady Elizabeth Hay was the daughter of George Hay, 8th Marquess of Tweeddale, and Lady Susan Montagu, daughter of William Montagu, 5th Duke of Manchester. On 18 April 1839 she was married to Arthur Wellesley, Lord Douro, eldest son of the famous general and former Tory Prime Minister, the 1st Duke of Wellington.

Lord Douro succeeded his father as second Duke of Wellington in 1852. The Duchess of Wellington was appointed Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria in 1861 by the Liberal Prime Minister Lord Palmerston, and continued in that role until 1868, serving through the governments of Lord Russell, Lord Derby and Benjamin Disraeli. She was again Mistress of the Robes in Disraeli's second government, 1874 to 1880. Her husband died on 13 August 1884, and the Dowager Duchess survived him for exactly twenty years to the day, dying at Burhill Park, Walton-on-Thames on 13 August 1904; she is buried at the family home of Stratford Saye in Hampshire. They had no children, and the marriage, which had been arranged by their respective families, was not a happy one.

This incredible solid 18 carat gold lady's LECOULTRE fob watch is absolutely stunning and is in excellent condition for its age. The watch Coronet design and intitials lead me to believe that this watch was once owned by the Duchess of Wellington before her husband became the second Duke of Wellington. This superb 4 piece watch case is made from solid 18 carat gold (tested and hall marked).

The case is stunningly beautiful and has a fantatic irredescent blue enameled finish. The case is decorated with a Coronet which in turn is studded with 7 diamonds 3 rubies and 2 sapphires. Underneath the Coronet there are two cartouches with the initials E H engraved into them.

Then below the cartouches there are another 11 diamonds set into a gold scroll design. This case front looks absolutely stunning. There is a little wear to the enamel where the watch has been wound at the top of the case near to the crown (see pics). The case back also has a fantastic blue enameled finish with exquisitely engraved flowers which look like lillies. The enamel to the case back shows just one very small patch of wear top right (see pics).

When opened the case front reveals the dial. The spring button is operational. The solid gold dustcover is in excellent condition. The case measures 2.5cms (25mm) across. When the case front is opened this beautiful watch has a bright white enamel dial with a tiny sub second dial which is showing no damage.

I can see no hairlines. It has black painted Roman numerals which are in excellent condition. The dial has two black steel hands which are also in excellent condition. The crystal is a replacement to the original and is in minty condition. This lovely watch has a FULLY SIGNED'LECOULTRE' jewelled cylinder movement which probably has eight jewels. The movement is in good working order and is crown wound and set. The watch winds smoothly and sets as it should. The watch has been FULLY SERVICED BY MY WATCHMAKER and is keeping time within a few mins per day although I do not think that this is really important on such an historical piece as this. The movement is Swiss and is unsigned.

This stunning watch is finished with a lovely textured finish ribbon style solid 9 carat gold brooch. It is later to the watch and dates to 1907 (Birmingham hallmarks) It is in excellent condition and looks beautiful with the watch. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM PIECE WATCH BY LECOULTRE AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON.

Please remember that vintage watches have survived for many decades by being treated well. Vintage watches are not for wearing while doing yard work, working out, or swimming. Vintage watches cannot keep time like their quartz cousins and will need altering on average between +-2 to +-5 mins per day. They are a little more destructible than modern watches.

Vintage watches also require periodic service and cleaning. Every couple of years, they would like their 20,000 mile checkup, oil change, and general service. By taking care of your vintage watch, you will have years of great service, and a quality heirloom to pass to another generation. Please do not waste anyones time if you are not interested.

The item "LE COULTRE DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON C1850 ANTIQUE SOLID 18K GOLD DIAMOND WATCH" is in sale since Friday, November 17, 2017. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches\Antique". The seller is "slake25" and is located in Doncaster. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Year of Manufacture: 1850-1859
• Material: solid 18k gold
• Brand: LeCoultre
• Escapement Type: Lever
• Movement: JEWELLED LEVER CROWN WIND & SET
• Features: ELIZABETH HAY DUCHESS OF WELLINGTON
• MPN: Does Not Apply
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
• Pocket Watch Size: 25mm