Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Golden Pocketwatch of King Ludwig II sold at auction for undisclosed amount
P© Johannes Simon
Translation by myself from German:
Stopped at 6.53 pm: Golden Pocketwatch of King Ludwig II. presents one of the few pieces of proof helping the reconstruction of his death in the Starnberger See (Lake in Starnberg near Munich) a long time ago. A man from Puchheim was able to acquire this piece at a fair price and is now presenting it to us.
When Albert Meilhaus left his house in Summer of 1991, the heavens above Bavaria were in the national color of blue and white and his wife Silvia was worried quite a bit. "Oje, das wird teuer", she said, which means, 'Oh my god, this will be expensive'. Meilhaus drove from Puchheim in the county of Fürstenfeldbruck to the auctionhouse in Munich called 'Hermann Historica'.
About 1000 pieces of all periods of time would be auctioned that day, many from the 3rd Reich. Albert Meilhaus was only interested in one special piece: The golden pocketwatch of King Ludwig II., which he wore and there was proof that he did when he walked in the Starnberg Lake (Starnberger See) on June13th in 1886 and died.
Meilhaus was expecting many potential bidders for the beautifully ornated piece of watch art. Nevertheless, he was decided to win. First, this watch is one of the very few remaining artifacts helping to prove and support the reconstruction of the night of death. Second, Meilhaus' Family has a very special connection to the fairy tale king (Märchenkönig).
© Johannes Simon
An unexpectedly cheap winning bid.
The auction ended with a huge surprise. "Ich war tatsächlich der einzige Bieter", said Meilhaus, which means, he was the only bidder. Hard to believe, and the buyer was incredibly happy while the auctioneer was very upset.
The auctioneer had much higher offers before the auction according to Meilhaus, and therefore must have thought that an auction would bring an even higher price. Well, this was a mistake, a big mistake.
Meilhaus said: "They gave the pocketwatch to me with anger in their faces without packaging". He did not say how much he paid. Instead, he is kindly asking not to ask about the price. The 60-year old man said, you can get a car but not a Ferrari for the price of this pocketwatch. Even his wife was excited and happy about the relatively cheap acquisition. She said that she knows why noone was bidding. 'The watch was meant for you!'
The "Augsburger Königstreuen" (a group of friends and fans of King Ludwig II.) were extremely satisfied with the auction result. They said that they are very happy that the watch did not get into the hands of a Japanese or even a Prussian collector. Mr. Meilhaus never regretted the investment. This watch is not only from a mechanical and manufacture standpoint valuable, but it possesses a very high ideal value: His Great great aunt was the nanny of the king and his brother Otto from 1846 until 1854. Her name was Sybilla Meilhaus, called "Billa", and she lived in the penthouse of the castle Hohenschwangau, she taught the little prince how to read, write, and calculate and cooked for them.
"When King Maximilian was hungry, the whole family had to join him", says Meilhaus. "And the moment father finished eating, his children had to stop as well." That is the reason why Sybilla Meilhaus oftentimes was surrounded by hungry children. Therefore, she prepared them always another dinner.
During these 8 years a strong bond between Ludwig and his nanny emerged. "She was like a replacement mother", says Albert Meilhaus. Peter Wolf from the 'Haus der bayerischen Geschichte' can confirm this: "It was one of the strongest bonds in the life of Ludwig, because in general the King quit friendsships rather quickly." Although Billa was replaced already in 1854, Ludwig kept writing letters regularly even in later years to his "liebe Meilhaus" (beloved Meilhaus) and he also sent her a lot of gifts. Peter Wolf says: "He really must have loved her from all of his heart"
An Aura which causes shudder
When Sybilla Meilhaus died in Augsburg in 1881, Ludwig placed a beautiful mourning ring on her grave and built a large tomb. This can still be found at the cemetary at Hermanstraße. The column made of white marble writes: "König Ludwig II: der treuen Pflegerin seiner Kinderjahre." This means King Ludwig II.: dedicated to his nanny of his childhood. Five years after "Billa" died, King Ludwig II. found his strange death in the lake in Starnberg. One fact is sure: He wore the golden pocketwatchon that day, and the watch stopped exactly at 6.53 pm and 40 seconds.
The silent witness was filled with water, as stated by the attorney general Jehle anno 1886 in his report to the 'Königliche Staatsministerium der Justiz'. The technician Haertinger added in his letter to the 'Königliche Bezirksamt München II' that inside of the watch remains of tuffs were found. This kind of sand helped him to researched the area of the lake, where the body must have been found.
Who now claims the king died at 6.53 pm and 40 seconds, must expect strong resistance by historians and criminologists. According to them, only one thing can be proven: the latest possible time of diving into the water. Everything else is simply speculation.
"We knew it exists, but not where"
Attorney general Jehle handed the watch after inspection to the administrator of the castle 'Schlossverwalter Huber'. Later it was given to Queen mom Marie. Since then the watch was in private possession of the house of Wittelsbach. Until it was auctioned in 1991. Albert Meilhaus is keeping the pocketwatch in his banksafe.The watch has not been shown publicly. Finally, Meilhaus is presenting the pocketwatch publicly in the 'Haus der bayerischen Geschichte' when the Landesausstellung 2011 "Götterdämmerung" is taking place in the castle 'Schloss Herrenchiemsee'.
The title of the exhibition is: "König Ludwig II. und seine Zeit." In translation King Ludwig II. and his time. Isn't this matching well with his pocketwatch? There is no doubt that it will be a unique piece of art in the exhibition. "We knew it existed, just not where", says the director of the exhibition Mr. Wolf. Now we know. "This watch is something very special, alone the looks", says Wolf. "In addition, it is the aura, which causes a certain shudder."
The pocketwatch was made in a Swiss town called La Chaux de Fonds. The case was engraved with a double 'L' monogramme and a crown. The back shows the head of "Cosa Rara", Ludwigs favorite horse. The watch has been fully restored and is funtioning. In the exhibit it will not tick. Instead, it will show the time: 6.53 o'clock and 40 seconds...
German source: Sueddeutsche v. 20.12.2010 / von Von Stefan Mayr
Source and here
This watch was the last witness of king Ludwig II.'s death...
Translation by myself from German:
Stopped at 6.53 pm: Golden Pocketwatch of King Ludwig II. presents one of the few pieces of proof helping the reconstruction of his death in the Starnberger See (Lake in Starnberg near Munich) a long time ago. A man from Puchheim was able to acquire this piece at a fair price and is now presenting it to us.
When Albert Meilhaus left his house in Summer of 1991, the heavens above Bavaria were in the national color of blue and white and his wife Silvia was worried quite a bit. "Oje, das wird teuer", she said, which means, 'Oh my god, this will be expensive'. Meilhaus drove from Puchheim in the county of Fürstenfeldbruck to the auctionhouse in Munich called 'Hermann Historica'.
About 1000 pieces of all periods of time would be auctioned that day, many from the 3rd Reich. Albert Meilhaus was only interested in one special piece: The golden pocketwatch of King Ludwig II., which he wore and there was proof that he did when he walked in the Starnberg Lake (Starnberger See) on June13th in 1886 and died.
Meilhaus was expecting many potential bidders for the beautifully ornated piece of watch art. Nevertheless, he was decided to win. First, this watch is one of the very few remaining artifacts helping to prove and support the reconstruction of the night of death. Second, Meilhaus' Family has a very special connection to the fairy tale king (Märchenkönig).
© Johannes Simon
An unexpectedly cheap winning bid.
The auction ended with a huge surprise. "Ich war tatsächlich der einzige Bieter", said Meilhaus, which means, he was the only bidder. Hard to believe, and the buyer was incredibly happy while the auctioneer was very upset.
The auctioneer had much higher offers before the auction according to Meilhaus, and therefore must have thought that an auction would bring an even higher price. Well, this was a mistake, a big mistake.
Meilhaus said: "They gave the pocketwatch to me with anger in their faces without packaging". He did not say how much he paid. Instead, he is kindly asking not to ask about the price. The 60-year old man said, you can get a car but not a Ferrari for the price of this pocketwatch. Even his wife was excited and happy about the relatively cheap acquisition. She said that she knows why noone was bidding. 'The watch was meant for you!'
The "Augsburger Königstreuen" (a group of friends and fans of King Ludwig II.) were extremely satisfied with the auction result. They said that they are very happy that the watch did not get into the hands of a Japanese or even a Prussian collector. Mr. Meilhaus never regretted the investment. This watch is not only from a mechanical and manufacture standpoint valuable, but it possesses a very high ideal value: His Great great aunt was the nanny of the king and his brother Otto from 1846 until 1854. Her name was Sybilla Meilhaus, called "Billa", and she lived in the penthouse of the castle Hohenschwangau, she taught the little prince how to read, write, and calculate and cooked for them.
"When King Maximilian was hungry, the whole family had to join him", says Meilhaus. "And the moment father finished eating, his children had to stop as well." That is the reason why Sybilla Meilhaus oftentimes was surrounded by hungry children. Therefore, she prepared them always another dinner.
During these 8 years a strong bond between Ludwig and his nanny emerged. "She was like a replacement mother", says Albert Meilhaus. Peter Wolf from the 'Haus der bayerischen Geschichte' can confirm this: "It was one of the strongest bonds in the life of Ludwig, because in general the King quit friendsships rather quickly." Although Billa was replaced already in 1854, Ludwig kept writing letters regularly even in later years to his "liebe Meilhaus" (beloved Meilhaus) and he also sent her a lot of gifts. Peter Wolf says: "He really must have loved her from all of his heart"
An Aura which causes shudder
When Sybilla Meilhaus died in Augsburg in 1881, Ludwig placed a beautiful mourning ring on her grave and built a large tomb. This can still be found at the cemetary at Hermanstraße. The column made of white marble writes: "König Ludwig II: der treuen Pflegerin seiner Kinderjahre." This means King Ludwig II.: dedicated to his nanny of his childhood. Five years after "Billa" died, King Ludwig II. found his strange death in the lake in Starnberg. One fact is sure: He wore the golden pocketwatchon that day, and the watch stopped exactly at 6.53 pm and 40 seconds.
The silent witness was filled with water, as stated by the attorney general Jehle anno 1886 in his report to the 'Königliche Staatsministerium der Justiz'. The technician Haertinger added in his letter to the 'Königliche Bezirksamt München II' that inside of the watch remains of tuffs were found. This kind of sand helped him to researched the area of the lake, where the body must have been found.
Who now claims the king died at 6.53 pm and 40 seconds, must expect strong resistance by historians and criminologists. According to them, only one thing can be proven: the latest possible time of diving into the water. Everything else is simply speculation.
"We knew it exists, but not where"
Attorney general Jehle handed the watch after inspection to the administrator of the castle 'Schlossverwalter Huber'. Later it was given to Queen mom Marie. Since then the watch was in private possession of the house of Wittelsbach. Until it was auctioned in 1991. Albert Meilhaus is keeping the pocketwatch in his banksafe.The watch has not been shown publicly. Finally, Meilhaus is presenting the pocketwatch publicly in the 'Haus der bayerischen Geschichte' when the Landesausstellung 2011 "Götterdämmerung" is taking place in the castle 'Schloss Herrenchiemsee'.
The title of the exhibition is: "König Ludwig II. und seine Zeit." In translation King Ludwig II. and his time. Isn't this matching well with his pocketwatch? There is no doubt that it will be a unique piece of art in the exhibition. "We knew it existed, just not where", says the director of the exhibition Mr. Wolf. Now we know. "This watch is something very special, alone the looks", says Wolf. "In addition, it is the aura, which causes a certain shudder."
The pocketwatch was made in a Swiss town called La Chaux de Fonds. The case was engraved with a double 'L' monogramme and a crown. The back shows the head of "Cosa Rara", Ludwigs favorite horse. The watch has been fully restored and is funtioning. In the exhibit it will not tick. Instead, it will show the time: 6.53 o'clock and 40 seconds...
German source: Sueddeutsche v. 20.12.2010 / von Von Stefan Mayr
Source and here
This watch was the last witness of king Ludwig II.'s death...
Friday, December 17, 2010
Mondani Rolex Gallery
Das neueste Mondani Buch 'Rolex Gallery' ist fünfsprachig, auf Englisch, Deutsch, Französisch, Spanisch und Italienisch. Eine tolle Übersicht mit tollen Fotos.
Wenn Sie hier klicken, finde Sie eine Bewertung des Buches in Englischer Sprache.
Hier können Sie online ein paar Seiten des Buches durchblättern.
Wenn Sie interessiert sind, schicken Sie mir bitte Email an:
info @ watchesandart . com
Wenn Sie bis zum 31.12. diesen Code erwähnen: 'RLXCHRISTMAS2010', sende ich ihnen das Buch versandkostenfrei innerhalb Deutschlands zu für einen Preis von
140 Euro.
Ich freue mich auf Ihre Anfragen.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
GMT watches - 3 different systems
I have been researching GMT watches. We all know the Rolex GMT. There is an additional hand and in connection with the bezel it allows us to view a second timezone, but only in one hour increments.
Well, there are other watchmakers who found ways to adjust for half hours, or even 15 minutes. Another even is able to account for 5 minute increments. I will list these watches below. Many people are most likely not aware of this ability to account for less than one hour increments.
First, Blancpain presents a preview of a new watch for Baselworld 2011:
the Villeret Demi-Fuseau Horaire, the first watch ever whose second
time zone can be adjusted in half-hour increments.
Click here to read more about it and to view photos.
(Source: worldwatchreview.com)
Second, the F.P. Journe Resonance allows 15 min increment adjustments.
Third, the Dubey & Schaldenbrand Aerodyne Duo allows 5 min increments.
Well, there are other watchmakers who found ways to adjust for half hours, or even 15 minutes. Another even is able to account for 5 minute increments. I will list these watches below. Many people are most likely not aware of this ability to account for less than one hour increments.
First, Blancpain presents a preview of a new watch for Baselworld 2011:
the Villeret Demi-Fuseau Horaire, the first watch ever whose second
time zone can be adjusted in half-hour increments.
Click here to read more about it and to view photos.
(Source: worldwatchreview.com)Second, the F.P. Journe Resonance allows 15 min increment adjustments.
Third, the Dubey & Schaldenbrand Aerodyne Duo allows 5 min increments.
Google Video: Patek Basel-Live Video
 |
Interview mit Herrn Michot, Geschäftsführer Patek Philippe Deutschland.
| Patek Basel-Live Video 30.03.2009 - 05:00 Basel-Live |
Unternehmer: Der Uhrmacher der Macher
(Source of picture)
This photo is taken of the back of a Patek watch, showing the movement. The engraving is on the movement to indice the new seal.
From time to time, I am posting articles or videos in German. If I find an english spoken equivalent, I will include it as well.
Dieser Artikel hier stammt aus der ZEIT, und handelt von der Königin der Uhrenmanufakturen, Patek Philippe, von der Familie, der dieses Unternehmen gehört und wie die Weiterführung dieses Unternehmens gewährleistet wird. Äusserst interessant zu lesen.
Danach noch dieses Video mit einem Interview des Geschäftsführers von Patek Philippe in Deutschland, Herr Y. Michot, mit dem ich das grosse Vergnügen und die Ehre hatte, kürzlich beim Dinner in Genf als Nachbar ausgiebig zu sprechen, über Uhren, Passion, Perfektion, Patek Philippe.
Wie Herr Michot feststellt, 'Sie (Patek) gehen einen Schritt weiter.' Vom Genfer Siegel zum Patek Siegel...!!!
Zuletzt, ein Presseartikel zum Patek Qualitätssiegel. Hier klicken.
Patek lanciert eigenes Qualitätssiegel. Hier klicken.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Discussion on brown colored and faded dials
There are different discussions on internet fora about how dials of vintage watches may have achieved their brownish or faded discolorations. Someone is claiming that they put dials into an oven and they turned brown. Not sure if this is true, but anyhow, just continue reading here...
THE PATEK CALIBER 240 (The mini rotor)
This is a very comprehensive outline on the Patek caliber 240 with the mini rotor.
This movement is used in many Patek watches including their Perpetual Calendar watches such as Ref. 5140.
This movement is used in many Patek watches including their Perpetual Calendar watches such as Ref. 5140.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Watchfair in Munich
I attended the watchfair in Munich for the second time today. Met with a couple friends and just browsed around. It is as far as I know the largest watchfair in Germany. Dealers from all over the world are presenting their goods including watches, watchparts, books on watches, boxes etc..
Up to today, I am still to cautious to buy a watch at any of these fairs. The atmosphere is too loud, too poor lighting, and I just do not feel comfortable to buy on the spot. Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity to see watches that you cannot see elsewhere.
Up to today, I am still to cautious to buy a watch at any of these fairs. The atmosphere is too loud, too poor lighting, and I just do not feel comfortable to buy on the spot. Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity to see watches that you cannot see elsewhere.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Visit at Patek Philippe in Geneva
Just returned from Geneva. The flight left 7 hours late on Thursday unfortunately and all plans for Thursday were scraped. Luckily, we had a full day on Friday to visit the Patek Philippe factory, where we were shown a lot of details of the production process, and how parts of watches are made. It was amazing to see the grade of industrial processing. The perfection in the process is more than amazing and impressive to say the least. They are truly making the finest timepieces in the world.
We also had a chance to visit the Patek Philippe museum with a guide who explained a lot of the history of general watchmaking as well as the history of Patek Philippe and their watches such as the Caliber 89, the most complicated watch in the world, weighing in at about 1 KG, the only 4 pieces were apparently sold to the Sultan of Brunei. The watch is huge and very heavy.
This was my second visit of the Patek Museum, but my first visit of the Patek factory. It was a great pleasure to meet Monsieur Michaux of Patek Germany.
The whole experience needs to settle down now, it was a true information overflow. Glad that the flight back was pretty much on schedule, and it was an exhausting but very fulfilling two day trip experiencing what I would consider the greatest watchmanufacture in the world.
Thank you to Patek Philippe for giving us so much insight. And thank you to jeweler Gadebusch and Mister Meyer in Cologne for the invitation to join in on this trip.
We also had a chance to visit the Patek Philippe museum with a guide who explained a lot of the history of general watchmaking as well as the history of Patek Philippe and their watches such as the Caliber 89, the most complicated watch in the world, weighing in at about 1 KG, the only 4 pieces were apparently sold to the Sultan of Brunei. The watch is huge and very heavy.
This was my second visit of the Patek Museum, but my first visit of the Patek factory. It was a great pleasure to meet Monsieur Michaux of Patek Germany.
The whole experience needs to settle down now, it was a true information overflow. Glad that the flight back was pretty much on schedule, and it was an exhausting but very fulfilling two day trip experiencing what I would consider the greatest watchmanufacture in the world.
Thank you to Patek Philippe for giving us so much insight. And thank you to jeweler Gadebusch and Mister Meyer in Cologne for the invitation to join in on this trip.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Auction of a Rolex Sub 5510 from the late 50s.
It will be interesting to watch this auction of a vintage Rolex Submariner Ref. 5510 from the late 1950s. It looks all original, and the price is already above 60000 USD. I am curious to see what the final price will be. Maybe it will climb above 70k or 80k?
Click here to view the auction. I am in no way affiliated or related to the person running this auction.
And here is an article about the auction result.
Bernhard wrote a nice posting in his blog about this watch and what was going on during the auction. Well worth a read.
Click here to view the auction. I am in no way affiliated or related to the person running this auction.
And here is an article about the auction result.
Bernhard wrote a nice posting in his blog about this watch and what was going on during the auction. Well worth a read.
Visiting Patek Philippe in Geneva
I am visiting Patek Philippe in Geneva tomorrow if the weather is not grounding my airplane. I am already excited and hope that my flight will depart.
H. Moser & Cie.: Monard Fumé
(Source of above photo)In German:
The Moser & Cie MONARD FUME is really an amazing yet simple watch.
Detailed information can be found over here, just click here to read the watchtime article (in German).
Here you find the pricelist as of 2009.
And here as well.
And this is a good article in German as well: 'Der Diskrete Charme der Raffinesse'
In English:
And here is a posting about Moser and Cie (in English), just click here.
And here as well, from the Singapore watch forum.
Philippe Dufour
Last summer I had the privilege to visit Monsieur Dufour in the Vallee de Joux. I still remember my visit and the impression Monsieur Dufour left on me. I found some good links about him which I would like to present:
"the greatest watchmaker among the greatest watchmakers"
Click here to read more.
I found this link to a book about Monsieur Dufour.
"the greatest watchmaker among the greatest watchmakers"
Click here to read more.
I found this link to a book about Monsieur Dufour.
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