An early 19th-century Brooch watch in the form of a life ring for the yacht Narada of the New York Yacht Club

Details

An early 19th-century Brooch watch in the form of a life ring for the yacht Narada of the New York Yacht Club
a fine 18K gold, keyless watch suspended by twisted gold ropes from a brooch decorated with the New York Yacht Club burgee in enamel under glass. With four diamonds mounted at each quarter of the circumference. The back of the pendant has the retailer's mark: "Rowlands & Frazer 146 Regent St London" and numbered: "REC. 253053". The watch, with a white enamel 5/8-inch (1.7 cm.) diameter face and Roman numerals, the winding crown at the top and to the left a clutch pin, when depressed allows the crown to set the watch. The movement is Swiss, with a polished back and engraved with the monogram "SW". The inside surface of the back of the watch bears the Vacheron Constantin mark and is stamped: "18C-0.750".
2 x 1¼ in. (5.1 x 3.2 cm.) brooch dimensions

Lot Essay

The steam yacht Narada was built as the steam yacht Semiramis in 1889, designed by A.H. Brown and built by Ramage & Ferguson for John Lysaght. Semiramis had principal dimensions of LOA: 225 ft., LWL: 194 ft., Beam: 27.2 ft., and a draft of 13 ft. She was sold several times and eventually to Henry Walters in 1899 and named Narada. As Narada she became one of the best known yachts on the Atlantic. Henry Walters was president of the Atlantic Coast Line Company, a railroad which was started by his father in North Carolina. The engraved monogram: "S W" are the initials of the owners wife, Sarah Walters.

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