EXTREMELY RARE

Russian Imperial presentation silver pocket watch with cipher of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich (1847-1909), son of Alexander II and uncle of Tsar Nicholas II.

The watch is in good working order.

Diameter 2 1/8 in. (5,3 cm)

The polished silver case is enameled with cipher of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich: interlaced ‘BA’ in Old Slavonic script beneath Russian Imperial crown.

The crown and letter ‘A’ are done with red translucent enamel over engine turned ground (guilloche enamel). The letter ‘B’ and some small elements of the crown are covered with blue opaque enamel.

The watch is Swiss made. The enamel work is Russian.

The engraved inscription on the reverse of the cover reads:

From H.I.H (His Imperial Highness) Gr. Dk. (Grand Duke)

Vladimir Alexandrovich

to Cadet of the L. Gr. (Life Guard)

Semeonovsky Regiment

Vasily Skrepunov

1898
The case is marked with both Swiss and Russian silver standards (875/84 zolotniks).

Russian Imperial family at Tsarskoe Selo, 1890s. Grand Duke Vladimir is the first one on the right.