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CIRCA: 1938
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum set with diamonds, engraved caseback reading "To Billie From David 1938"
CASE DIMENSIONS: 34 x 11 mm
DIAL: Silvered with Arabic numerals
BRACELET MATERIAL: Platinum set with diamonds
GEMSTONE(S): round and single-cut diamonds approx. 2.75 carats, most G-H/VS-SI
BRACELET SIZE: 5-1/2 inches
MOVEMENT: GruenWatch Co manual
CALIBER: 673
Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, a queen of musical inventiveness and unrivaled performance panache, was gifted this platinum and diamond watch by the innominate benefactor "David", likely a patron to her career or perhaps more. A gift fit for a queen at the time, it was likely worn by Holiday at the inception of her solo career filled with success and glamour.
Stamped: 10%IRIDPLAT; Numbered: 24119
PROPERTY OF A CALIFORNIA LADY
Condition
Metal surface with scratches commensurate with wear and age. Crystal with nicks on the edges and light scratches. The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that there is no guarantee on the future working of the movement.
Any reference to condition in a condition report will not include a full description of condition, and for example, may not specify all faults, alteration, adaptation, mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, or dial. Colors and shades may look different online or in printed materials than they look on physical inspection, and images may not clearly show the condition of a lot. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot in person and make their own evaluation of the lot. They must understand that any statement made by Fortuna Auction LLC ("Fortuna") is merely a subjective, qualified statement and does not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Fortuna. All dimensions in catalog descriptions are approximate. No warranties are made that watches in water-resistant cases are currently water-resistant. Fortuna does not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets or leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts.
Pre-owned watches, unless still in original packaging or never worn, will likely have some degree of wear and scratches. This should be expected for many of the watches offered in auction. Even if a watch is running and keeping time, bidders and buyers should expect that all movements will require maintenance. Fortuna recommends that all successful buyers promptly take their watches to a professional watchmaker for evaluation.
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