On today’s episode of Watch on The Market, we have a special pocket watch relating to a very important historical provenance – Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France. Bonus listing at the end.

This is a French 18K gold pocket watch in Empire style made by Darras, Paris circa 1800s in Paris, France.

What elevates this pocket watch is its potential provenance. It comes with a letter (slightly torn) dated Nov 30, 1915 from F.W. Drosten Jewelery Co , diamon and gem merchants, based in St. Louis, Missouri addressed to a Dr. V. J. Andre of Osceola, Arkansas.

“Dear Doctor,

I have often heard your father tell me that Napoleon had given this watch and chain to Marshall Durec (Duroc) who in turn gave it to Dr. Andre’s father.

If you are going to dispose of the articles in question I would be pleased to buy them from you if the price is reasonable”

We come to the conclusion that the watch was in possession of the Dr. Andre’s grandson, to whom the watch was originally given by Marshall Durec of the Napoleon’s Army.

Who was Marshall Duroc?

The watch did not seem important until the provenance came in. Marshall Géraud Duroc, Duke of Frioul was a French general and diplomat who served in the French Revolution and later the Napoleonic Wars across Europe and Asia. Marshal Duroc was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most trusted aides, serving as Grand Marshal of the Palace responsible for Napoleon’s personal security, court administration, and diplomatic missions.

Portraits of General Duroc, Grand Maréchal du Palais, Duc de Frioul

Marshal Duroc was not just a man of ceremonies, his rise to the position was marked by exemplary courage, strategy, efficiency and order, as written by French historian. His talents caught Napoleon’s attention during the Italian and Egyptian campaigns. His devotion to Napoleon was rewarded by complete confidence by the emperor. He became Napo’s first aide-de-camp in 1798, later promoted to general of a brigade and was sent on missions to Vienna, St Petersburg and across Europe.

Napoleon weeps for a mortally wounded Duroc, engraving by Horace Vernet.

Duroc was devoted to Napoleon. He became more like a confidant-friend to Napoleon with all the wars and misery going around. Marshal Duroc sadly passed away when a cannonball hit him at the Battle of Reichenbach on 22 May 1813. Duroc lay dying inside a farmhouse, he requested Napoleon’s presence where he apologised to the Emperor for not being able to serve him further, asked him to be a father to his daughter, and then requested him to withdraw so that he was not present at the moment of death.

Monument to General Duroc near the place of his death, today in Markersdorf, Germany.

Napoleon later purchased the house where Duroc died and erected a monument in his friend’s memory. Duroc’s remains were moved in 1847 to be buried in the Hôtel des Invalides, in Paris. His name is inscribed on the Eastern pillar of the Arc de Triomphe, on column 15.

It is known that Napoleon was a certified watch enthusiast, although his was a moment-of-need than a hunger of hoarding. It is obvious, much like his counterparts across the world, he presented watches to his confidants and courtiers. It is possible that this is one of the many watches Napoleon gave to General Duroc during his expeditions across the world.

Engraved Darras a Paris

Of course, there is no way to substantiate the contents of the letter but the watch is period correct and of course the story is entirely plausible

The case has French gold hallmarks marks for the period, we tried decoding all the hallmarks but over polishing over the years hindered us.

The movement, according to the seller has the top quality gilt bridge movement has a free standing mainspring balance, a cylinder escapement and a gold 3 arm balance. The movement is in 95% mint condition

Case – the movement comes in an 18K gold open face case, which has a hinged back and bezel and a spring released gilt inner cover. This is signed “Darras a Paris, No 146”

The gold dial has a pair of blue steel hands and is decorated with a polished chapter ring surrounding an inner circle of engine turning. The dial is in 99% mint condition according to the seller.

The watchmaker – Darras of Paris

Louis-Anne Darras was a Parisian watchmaker active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries based in Paris. His work exemplifies the craftsmanship of that era, with notable pieces such as an 18K gold Empire-style pocket watch circa 1810.

A Darras Paris made Louis XVI ormolu-mounted white and black marble striking mantel clock with calendar. Image: Christie’s

The Pocket watch with Napoleonic Provenance is up for sale at Atlam Watches in London, U.K. for a very approachable sum of £5,950.00/$7667.63 on Atlam Watches. Usually if this watch was to be sold by any other seller or auctions like Christie’s the price would easily inflate to $20-30,000. A very nice and important watch with on of the most important provenances in modern history for a steal of a price.

Bonus – A Double Signed Hunter With Goodwood Provenance.

For sale, at Atlam Watches is another 18K gold J.W. Benson signed Half Hunter pocket watch with Goodwood provenance circa 1925. This pocket watch was made by Longines and retailed by Hunt and Roskell Ltd and J W Benson Ltd.

The watch seems to come with its original box which itself gives quite a lot of context. The watch was presented by the estate employees in Fochabers and Glenlivet district to Frederick Gordon-Lennox, 9th Duke of Richmond (1904-1989) also known as Lord Settrington, a family honour on his coming forage in 1925.

9th Duke of Richmond outside his family seat, Goodwood House, England.

Lord Settrington, Frederick Charles Gordon Lennox, 9^th Duke of Richmond, 9^th Duke of Lennox, 9^th Duke of Aubigny, 4^th Duke of Gordon (5^th February 1904-2 November 1989) was a British Peer, engineer, Racing Driver and motor racing promoter. Within his inheritance was the Goodwood estate which he transformed from a horse racing venue to a motor racing venue and became the Goodwood circuit. The Duke was also the longest-serving Vice President of the Royal Automobile Club, a legacy which continues till this day.

The Duke of Richmond & Gordon with Queen Elizabeth II at the Goodwood race meeting.

The watch comes in its original presentation box, which if we may say makes it one of the ‘triple signed’ watches – made by Longines and retailed by Hunt & Roskell in collaboration with J.W. Benson, both famed retailers and gold/silversmiths based in London.

The dial seems to have some ageing/damage by 7 & 8, else the watch looks pristine. I would consider it damage from not using the watch. The watch looks like it was kept unused by the lord at this estate.

The watch comes with some well-engraved caseback chronicles. Hope we are able to bring this art back to mainstream watch business.

This hunter pocket watch with Goodword provenance is up for sale at Atlam Watches for £3,950.00/ $5090.21.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

Frederick Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Richmond (1904-1989) sitting at the wheel of the smallest car to be entered in the 500-mile race, as it begins its final trial run at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, England.