Beskrivelse fra Sothebys auktioner 2022 PATEK PHILIPPE QUARTER REPEATING POCKET WATCH Patek Philippe 18k gold and miniature enamel quarter repeating key wind and key set pocket watch, made in 1850 sold in 1852 History. Beauty. Rarity. Intrigue. Not to mention a minute repeater with miniature enamel and engraving! First, the history: this watch belonged to Henriette Auguste Luise von Heimbruch, born von Helldorff. Born to a noble family in 1840 in Lower Saxony, she was in the inner circle of European royalty and said to be celebrated for her beauty and elegance. Based on genealogical records, she was “lady-in-waiting to Princess Mary and was appointed by George V in 1866 as Honorary State Lady with the rank corresponding to this position” Nicknamed Lonny, she was married to Karl Johann Christian von Heimbruch and this mid-19th century power couple became part of the inner circle of the Hanoverian royal family. She died in May 1916. In terms of beauty, this was appropriately matched to its owner. The case back is hand engraved in a vermicelli pattern with an exquisite miniature enamel painting of a horse in the center, presumably a horse very dear to Lonny. The elegance of the watch preserved with its original box from 1852 can not be overstated. In terms of horological rarity, this watch has multiple features that make it befitting of its royal provenance. The fact that is an early quarter repeater from Patek Philippe first and foremost is exciting for those in the know. Consider the dial and movement is signed Patek & Cie which is typical for the era for a watch made in 1850, and then consider that on January 1, 1851 the company’s name was changed from Patek & Cie to Patek, Philippe & Cie. When this watch was sold in early 1852, it was supplied with a case signed ‘Patek, Philippe & Cie” In short, this is one of the first true ‘Patek Philippe’ watches and in all likelihood it was personally handled by both Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. The fact that this important watch was sold (or gifted) to noblewoman of elegance and taste is no surprise. Remember it was in 1851 that Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom literally bought herself a Patek Philippe and another for her husband Prince Albert. Just a few years later in 1868, Patek Philippe made the first true Swiss bracelet watch for the Hungarian Countess Koscowicz. Patek Philippe was committed to catering to and selling to the ladies high end market from its earliest days. So now a new owner has the chance to own a piece of Lonny’s legacy, a watch of beauty, complication and rarity that allows you to own a true museum watch.

Ridder af Dannebrog

Symbolum: Ehrlich währet lang

        Herunder hviler det Forgjængelige af
Christian greve af Stolberg

I en lang Række af Aar var han Amtmand i Reinbek
Tremsbüttel og Trittau og siden Aaret 1800 
Eier af Godset Windeby ved Eckernförde hvor 
han døde i Januar 1820 efter at have levet et
langt og kjærligt Ægteskab Luise Frederike Reventlow

Han agtedes høit af alle dem som i ham kjendte 
den ligesaa ædle blide Embedsmand og Videnskabs-
dyrker som trofaste Ven og aandrige Digter

Ved hans faders, Dronning Sophie Magdalenes Over-
hofmesters Forslag og Tilskyndelse tilvejebragtes
nogle af de første Skridt til forbedrede Kaar
hos Bondestanden i de tidligere Hirschholms Amt 
benævnte kongelige Domæner og hine Bondestan-
dens sande Venner og hver god Sags Befordrere
Danmarks Andreas Petrus Bernstorff, Christian 
Ditlev Frederik Reventlow til Christianssæde
og Johan Ludvig Reventlow til Brahetrolleborg
vare hans nøie med ham forenede Svogre

Det var i hans sidste Øieblikke at han mindede
om Frelserens trøstefulde Forjættelse i Lucas 
Evangelium 11te cap 9nde Vers hvor det hedder, Beder 
saa skal eder gives - Leder, saa skulle I finde,
Banker paa, saa skal eder oplades, dertil føjede:

Ich suchte dich und flehte dir
nur stehe Ich klopfend an der Thür

Mærkelige Ord som med Blikket hæftet paa den i
Troen på Christi guddommelige Tilsagn døende
fromme Stolberg saaledes kunde gjengives:

Dig søgte jeg og bønhørt bad til Dig
nu banker jeg og Døren aabner sig