Harry Houdini's Pocketwatch To Be Auctioned.

Houdini's 18K pocket watch will be auctioned by Bonhams!

The watch is an unsigned/unknown manufacturer and features: a minute repeater chronograph w/calendar and moon phase. 

The watch is dated 1914 w/frosted gilt half plate movement jeweled through the center, straight line lever escapement with bimetallic balance, overcoiled spring and index regulator, lever set, single button chronograph work planted on the barrel bridge, repeating on two gongs by depressing pendant, gold cuvette with inscription, white enamel dial with fifth seconds ring enclosing roman chapters, subsidiary dial for day date and month, moon phase aperture within seconds dial, blued steel hands, plain 18K gold case with English import marks, back lid contains photograph of Houdini. 59mm

Description: 

"To my dear pal
Houdini
From his
Sincere friend
Harry Day
May 1914"

The celebrated escape artist known as Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was born into a rabbinical family in Budapest as Erik Weisz. After his family relocated to New York City, Houdini, a star athlete in his youth, developed a keen interest in magic. Houdini named himself after celebrated French conjurer and clockmaker, Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, whose clocks we will be featuring in our autumn Furniture and Decorative Arts Sale. In 1899, Houdini began working the vaudeville circuit and became famous for his handcuff tricks, earning the name "Handcuff Harry." After escaping from numerous jails, straitjackets, chains, ropes, and one infamous Chinese Water Torture Cell, Houdini passed away at the age of fifty-two due to peritonitis from a ruptured appendix.

This watch was given to Houdini by his English manager, Harry Day, who took an early interest in Houdini and booked all his European appearances. After Houdini's death, the watch was given to his nephew, Harry White.

-JKS