Lot 343

Vacheron & Constantin

A rare, fine Geneva gold enamel pocket watch with the portrait of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary

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The back cover is decorated with an oval enamel medallion framed by engraved flowers. It shows a monochrome drawing of Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary in uniform and robe with the Orders of the Golden Fleece and the Austrian Grand Cross breast star of the Military Order of Maria Theresa.

Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I (born 18 August 1830; died 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the other states of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 2 December 1848 until his death. He was the longest-reigning ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as the longest-reigning emperor and sixth-longest-reigning monarch of any country in history. Franz Joseph was married to Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary (called Sisi) until her violent death in 1898.