An Extremely Rare and Important Russian Imperial Presentation Watch

circa 1840

made by Robert Brandt & Cie for the Russian Court

The ultra slim gold pocket watch is decorated with a finely enameled miniature portrait of Emperor Nicholas I-

after the 1835 original painting by Franz Kruger-

surrounded by an elaborately engraved, ornate black enamel frame.

Such high caliber gold and enamel watches with the Tsar’s portraits

were given by the Tsar as a reward to high-ranking state officials, military commanders, and diplomats.

There is a similar watch in the Moscow Kremlin collection. That watch was given to Field Marshal Prince Baratyansky.

Two gold pocket watches with enamel portraits of Nicholas I from the 1850s are on display at the Metropolitan museum in New York.

The watch case itself is in perfect condition with intact enamel. Unfortunately, most of the mechanism parts are now missing.

Diameter 45 mm (1 3/4 in.)

Imperial presentation gold and enamel pocket watches with portraits of Russian czars Nicholas I and Alexander II

from the collection of the Metropolitan museum in New York.