Gilded silver keywind open face pocket watch by Swiss watchmaker Ami Sandoz & Son, late 1890s, the bridges of the movement shaped as a Russian Imperial double headed eagle (executed in the 18th century style). Diameter 2 1/8 in. (5,3 cm). The watch is in excellent working order.
Exceedingly Rare Special Order Watch, Apparently Unpublished.
Details of the eagle are skillfully engraved. The two crowns are set with rubies.
A short crack to the crystal and a few tiny chips around the bronze mounted openings.
The lid nielloed with the cipher ‘KK’ under Imperial crown for Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich within a circle flanked by laurel and oak branches tied with a ribbon. The cross of the military Order of St. George is placed under the cipher between two ribbons of the order.
The niello work, almost certainly, was done in Russia.
Condition of the silver-gilt case: apparently regilded, light pocket wear, no dents, no major scratches. The niello decorations of the lid are evenly worn.
The dial is very clean. Both the dial and hands are in excellent condition. The crystal of the dial appears to be original and has only one minor scratch.
The above two images show the watch in motion.
Original silver mounted key is of a Russian manufacture. It is decorated with silver Imperial crown and marked with 84 zolotniks standard. The assay mark is from the period between 1896 and 1908.