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Lot Essay
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)
The only United States president to be elected to the office four times, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, byname FDR, is remembered to be one of the nation’s greatest leaders. Under his leadership, America survived through two of the darkest periods of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelt created a series of programs and reforms for economic recovery during his presidency, known as the New Deal. These programs may not have come to fruition without the support of his wife Eleanor Roosevelt, with whom he had one of the strongest political partnerships in American history. A leader in her own right, Eleanor transformed the role of the First Lady from that of a social hostess into a more visible, active participant in her husband's administration. She was an advocate for women, American workers, and the poor. She was also an early champion of civil rights for African Americans, and supported government-funded programs for artists and writers.
Audemars Frères
Audemars Frères was one of the three successor businesses founded in approximately 1885 after the bankruptcy of the original Louis Audemars Company. Audemars Frères was set up by brothers Hector and Charles-Henri Audemars who were grandsons of Louis Audemars, the original founder (1811). Their father Charles-Henri was the youngest son of the founder and is most credited for advancing and perfecting the use of the perpetual calendar. Of the three successor companies, Audemars Frères was the most successful and survived the longest.
Given that Audemars Frères was in operation from approximately 1885 to the early 1900s, it is likely this watch may have been a gift from Eleanor to former American President, Franklin D. Rossevelt, for their wedding on March 17, 1905, especially since there is a well-placed photograph of Eleanor which remains in remarkable condition to the inside of the case.
The extremely elegant pocket watch is preserved in excellent condition, considering that Franklin D. Roosevelt likely wore this watch daily and it has survived over one hundred years of use. When examining this watch, the dial is especially attractive in two-tone gilt with Arabic numerals on a blank chapter ring, contrasting with the guilloché center. Furthermore, the guilloché to the outside of the hunter case is also well-preserved and the monogram, FDR, is still clearly visible on the blank oval plaque to the outer case. When the slide in the band is activated, the chime of the quarter repeater sounds beautifully, an ode to the skilled watchmakers of Audemars Frères.
In 2005 and 2012, Heritage Auctions sold this historically important quarter repeating pocket watch which had previously been sold by Sotheby's in October 1988. The consignor to Sotheby's was James Roosevelt, who was FDR and Eleanor's eldest son. This watch sold for $18,400 in 2005 and $27,485 in 2012.
The only United States president to be elected to the office four times, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, byname FDR, is remembered to be one of the nation’s greatest leaders. Under his leadership, America survived through two of the darkest periods of the 20th century: the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelt created a series of programs and reforms for economic recovery during his presidency, known as the New Deal. These programs may not have come to fruition without the support of his wife Eleanor Roosevelt, with whom he had one of the strongest political partnerships in American history. A leader in her own right, Eleanor transformed the role of the First Lady from that of a social hostess into a more visible, active participant in her husband's administration. She was an advocate for women, American workers, and the poor. She was also an early champion of civil rights for African Americans, and supported government-funded programs for artists and writers.
Audemars Frères
Audemars Frères was one of the three successor businesses founded in approximately 1885 after the bankruptcy of the original Louis Audemars Company. Audemars Frères was set up by brothers Hector and Charles-Henri Audemars who were grandsons of Louis Audemars, the original founder (1811). Their father Charles-Henri was the youngest son of the founder and is most credited for advancing and perfecting the use of the perpetual calendar. Of the three successor companies, Audemars Frères was the most successful and survived the longest.
Given that Audemars Frères was in operation from approximately 1885 to the early 1900s, it is likely this watch may have been a gift from Eleanor to former American President, Franklin D. Rossevelt, for their wedding on March 17, 1905, especially since there is a well-placed photograph of Eleanor which remains in remarkable condition to the inside of the case.
The extremely elegant pocket watch is preserved in excellent condition, considering that Franklin D. Roosevelt likely wore this watch daily and it has survived over one hundred years of use. When examining this watch, the dial is especially attractive in two-tone gilt with Arabic numerals on a blank chapter ring, contrasting with the guilloché center. Furthermore, the guilloché to the outside of the hunter case is also well-preserved and the monogram, FDR, is still clearly visible on the blank oval plaque to the outer case. When the slide in the band is activated, the chime of the quarter repeater sounds beautifully, an ode to the skilled watchmakers of Audemars Frères.
In 2005 and 2012, Heritage Auctions sold this historically important quarter repeating pocket watch which had previously been sold by Sotheby's in October 1988. The consignor to Sotheby's was James Roosevelt, who was FDR and Eleanor's eldest son. This watch sold for $18,400 in 2005 and $27,485 in 2012.