Tick Talk[Vacheron Moderator]
2195
Maharajah of Patiala
May 11, 2021,19:38 PM
Sorry for the late reply, I've just finished clean-up chores after our camping trip. Spring is an amazing time to be in the wilds, a little skiff of fresh snow revealed we were sharing the trail with a bear! A little later, in a meadow, we found the remains of his dinner, an elk, but that photo might be a bit too much for a watch forum ;-)
So, as far as interesting stories about these watches, the official Annales of V&C comment on the Maharajah of Patiala, who's watch is featured in this article under the year 1909. As you will read, it appears this watch wasn't purchased until 1921; not an unusual situation with these ultra-expensive unique pieces.
1921, that was the year we had the visit from the Maharajah of the Patiala, accompanied by his large entourage of wives, officials and servants. This Hindu prince had the reputation at that time of being one of the richest owners of precious stones. In a few hours we made 150,000 francs worth of sales at the shop, not without having had to interest his "confidential" secretary beforehand very generously. He was a tall gentleman, magnificently sun-tanned and turbaned, who had the rank of Colonel. Charles Constantin