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Might this watch have been a gift from a Maharaja? This early and important Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso certainly belongs to that world of British India from which the Reverso first emerged.
Conceived in 1931 to withstand the rigours of polo, its patented reversible case combined technical ingenuity with a distinctly Art Deco aesthetic, and quickly became associated with the unique social and military world of the subcontinent, worn by both military officers and the Maharajahs.
The present example, dating to 1943 and signed by Favre Leuba & Co, one of the earliest Swiss watchmakers to establish a presence in India, where it had been active since the nineteenth century, retains this direct connection. Its engraved caseback, “C.J.A / from D.S / Jamnagar / 1943”, a presentation piece, given during the Second World War when such exchanges formed part of established custom between Indian rulers and British officers.
The identity of “C.J.A” remains unknown. The initials “D.S”, however, invite closer consideration, It is worth considering whether they may refer to Digvijaysinhji Maharaja of Nawanagar, remembered as the “Good Maharaja”, and sometimes known to British officers as “Dignjay Singh”.
During the Second World War, he gave refuge to over 1,000 Polish children. If so, the present watch may represent not simply a personal possession, but a gift rooted in one of the more remarkable human stories of the period.
Whether or not this association can be firmly established, the watch sits within a clearly defined historical moment, where military service, royal patronage, and European craftsmanship intersected.
John ffrench was an instrumental figure in the design industry in Ireland and a distinguished pioneer of Irish studio pottery.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
