Today's offering showcases this extremely collectable Marvin fob watch owned by King Edward VIII who became the Duke of Windsor and his wife the Duchess of Windsor.
Depending on who you ask, the history of Kind Edward VIII is either an inspiring story of deep love and freely walking away from enormous power or a tragedy about a King who wasn't quite king material.
But what's generally agreed upon is that King Edward is best known as the man who gave up his throne in order to be with the woman he loved.
He briefly reigned over all the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire, and India, for most of 1936 after the death of his father, George V before abdicating the throne on December 11 of that year.
After his abdication the title of Duke of Windsor was created especially for him, and his wife became the Duchess of Windsor. That title, now defunct, served its purpose at the time of giving a title to a living former king.
The Duke and Duchess went on to become icons of style, and the Duchess' jewels are legendary.
This Marvin watch from circa the 1930's was owned by the couple and presumably worn, and was sold in 1987 upon the death of the Duchess.
It is all-original and in extremely fine condition. It is running and functioning, and we chose to leave it untouched exactly as we acquired it. Please inquire if you would like it serviced.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance.
Note: A brief video on some of the Duchess' jewels can be found :
Also, an article from 1987 proclaiming that the offering of Duchess of Windsor’s jewels (including a few of the Duke's) quadrupled an offering record can be found .
Our new Connoisseur of Time Celebrity and Historical Events Collection:
I am very pleased to have just launched our new Celebrity and Historical Events Collection, which will be composed of watches owned by celebrities or that were given to commemorate an important historical event.
This watch will be followed by watches from Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis, Burt Reynolds, Olivia Newton-John, and a clock from Bob Hope.
I look forward to offering others as well to keep the collection constantly fresh and expanding.
Also coming soon is a watch given a handful of years after the Civil War concluded by the Vice President Elect to honor an Army commander who went on to receive the Medal of Honor. This will be an exciting new collection you won't want to miss!
PROVENANCE Lot 249, "The Jewels of the Duchess of Windsor," Sotheby's, Geneva, April 3, 1987
- Manufacturer: Marvin Watch Co.
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Model: Fob watch
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
- Year built: c. 1930's
- Dimensions: 36mm in diameter
- Case material: Chrome plated
- Case condition: Better than excellent
- Dial: Matte black with gilt printing, signed Marvin, luminous Arabic indices, outer railroad minute track, sunken guilloche subsidiary dial for the seconds, original, mint condition
- Hands: Luminous steel batons
- Movement type: Marvin, Swiss made, caliber 540, rhodium plated, 15 jewels, lever
- Crystal: Acrylic, appears to be original, excellent condition but warmed to a sepia tone. Please inquire if you would like a new one installed.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
