Wonderful quality gold presentation watch

A superb mid 19thc. enamelled gold watch, with a probable connection to Edward VII (when Prince of Wales). In excellent condition throughout.

MOVEMENT : A fine quality gilt lever movement, jewelled, with a compensated, bi metallic, two spoke balance wheel.

Unsigned but numbered 7530. Protected by a removable gilt dustcap (maker’s mark TF).

This movement is in excellent condition and is running well. Just one light scratch on the edge of the top plate opposite the hinge.

DIAL : Gold dial with engine turned engraving to the chapter ring, multi coloured gold flowers around the end and the centre engraved with foliage. In very goods condition, with just a very few light and short scratches.

Wonderful gold hands with diamond insets. Again in very good condition and a very rare feature.

CASE : An 18ct. gold hunter case, richly decorated with polychrome enamels and inset diamonds.

Hallmarked for 18ct. gold, London, 1859/60, maker AS.

The front cover is decorated around the edge with pink roses and green leaves. These are entwined with three scrolls, each with a date inscribed :

March 27
July 25
August 16

Monogram MI in blue enamel to the centre.

The back is decorated with the Prince of Wales feathers and motto (ich dien) and the Order of the Garter emblem (blue enamel with seven diamond studs).

Another monogram, DG in red enamel.

The gold is in very good condition throughout. The hinges are fine and the covers and bezel snap shut correctly. The bezel correctly springs open when the button on the stem is pressed.
The enamel is also in excellent condition with just one very small area of loss to the edge of the blue enamel garter on the back (top left).

This is a heavy watch, weighing about 113 gms. in total.

The case maker is Alfred Stram of Northampton Square, London. He was a Swiss case maker working in London, and was one of the most revered case makers of the time collaborating with the best watchmakers such as Charles Frodsham, Dent and S. Smith & Son.

By repute, this watch was supposedly presented by the Prince of Wales to a surgeon, but there is no evidence to support this. More research is required, including the relevance of the two monograms and three dates.