Alexandre de Lamberterie
Specialist
Montres de Prestige / Jules Jurgensen. Rare montre de gousset à clapet en or jaune 18k (750) président des États-unis remontoir à clef Jules Jurgensen. A fine and rare United States presidential presentation 18k gold key wind full hunter pocket watch Circa 1860
€5,000 - €7,000
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In the 19th century it was popular for the President of the United States to award foreigners in recognition of saving American lives however it was not until 1862, during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, that there became an official award. The present watch pre-dates this creation of an official award to non citizens of the United States and was made by the renowned watchmaker Jules Jürgenson. Upon the cuvette of the watch it is inscribed:
The President of the United States to Captain F. Duphaic of the French Ship Duquay Trouin for his humane and gallant conduct in rescuing from Shipwreck the Master and Crew of the American Brig 'Florentine' 1857
Later watches gifted in recognition of saving American lives at sea were supplied by Waltham.