Pocket Watch of Prince Felix Yusupov

Pocket Watch of Prince Felix Yusupov

This late 19th to early 20th-century pocket watch is a distinguished example of European horology, likely of Swiss manufacture. Its case, crafted in gilt brass, bears a natural patina consistent with age and use. The enamel dial features Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes, with a subsidiary seconds dial positioned above VI—hallmarks of a manually wound mechanical movement.

Of particular historical interest is the presence of a photograph inside the case, depicting Prince Felix Yusupov and Princess Irina in their youth. Such personal inclusions were common among aristocratic families, transforming timepieces into intimate keepsakes. Below the portrait, small numerical engravings - made by the prince himself - add a layer of emotional and historical depth.

This detail, combined with the photograph, confers upon the watch an immeasurable historical and sentimental value, binding it to one of the most enigmatic figures of Russian nobility. It embodies a perfect union of technical mastery and aesthetic refinement, bearing witness to an era when watchmaking reached its highest expression. Beyond its mechanical excellence, this piece serves as a reliquary of memory—an object that has traversed time, carrying with it the story of one of Imperial Russia’s most influential families.

Doktor Lazarus Archaeologist, Historian, Collector, Independent Curator