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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Prize pocket watch

Pavel Bure Imperial Prize Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This silver prize pocket watch was manufactured by the Pavel Bure company at the turn of the 19th-20th century. Designed as a prize for military achievement, the watch was awarded to Karl Lepin, a gunner of the 6th battalion of the L.Gv. 2nd Artillery Brigade, for riding with a gun. The piece is constructed from 84 sterling silver, enamel, and gold. The exterior cover features an applied monogram under an imperial crown. The enamel dial is equipped with a stopwatch function, Roman numerals, and twisted gold hands. The interior cover is engraved with the company's designation as a supplier to His Majesty's Court. The watch measures 5.5 cm in diameter and weighs 123 grams.

The Pavel Bure prize pocket watch, showing the dial, hands, and the open inner case back with manufacturer inscriptions.
The Pavel Bure prize pocket watch, showing the dial, hands, and the open inner case back with manufacturer inscriptions. — Antiqon (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Prize pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Pavel Bure
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
753
Source-reported date
turn of the 19th-20th century
Source-reported place
Russia
Source-reported serial
132071

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The pocket watch features a silver casing measuring 5.5 cm in diameter. The dial is executed in enamel and includes a stopwatch function along with Roman numerals for timekeeping, complemented by twisted gold hands. The crown and bow are rendered in a contrasting gold tone.

The case back is decorated with an applied metal monogram consisting of the letters 'MA' situated beneath an imperial crown. The weight of the watch is 123 grams.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pavel Bure enamel double dial with stopwatch and Roman numerals, twisted gold hands.”
  • “On the bottom cover there is an applied MA monogram under the imperial crown.”
  • “Watch diameter: 5.5 cm. Weight: 123 g.”

Signatures and Identifiers

The watch is marked with the serial number 132071. This number appears both on the watch and is explicitly documented in the auction catalog.

The inner cover bears a formal company inscription, identifying the Pavel Bure firm as a supplier to the Russian Imperial Court.

Evidence for this section
  • “Serial number 132071”
  • “On the inner cover: Pavel Bure supplier of His Majestys Court.”

Provenance and Historical Context

The watch is identified as a prize awarded for military service. According to the provided information, it was given to Karl Lepin, a gunner serving in the 6th battalion of the L.Gv. 2nd Artillery Brigade, for proficiency in riding with a gun.

The auction records note a connection to A.I. Vilkova's book, 'Prize Watches in the Russian Imperial Army', citing a similar example with the monogram of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich.

Evidence for this section
  • “Prize for riding with a gun to the gunner of the 6th battalion of the L.Gv. 2nd Artillery Brigade to Karl Lepin”
  • “A watch with the same monogram of Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, chief of the Life Guards of the Priobrazhensky Regiment, is given on page 54 in the book by A.I. Vilkova Prize Watches in the Russian Imperial Army.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the 'MA' monogram in relation to the recipient Karl Lepin?
  • Does the internal movement bear any additional hallmarks or inscriptions confirming its production date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pavel Bure Imperial Prize Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPavel Bure“company of Pavel Bure”
Serial Number132071“Serial number 132071”
Materials84 silver, enamel, gold“84 sterling silver, gold, enamel, engraving.”
Diameter5.5 cm“Watch diameter: 5.5 cm.”
Weight123 g“Weight: 123 g.”
InscriptionSupplier of His Majesty's Court“Pavel Bure supplier of His Majestys Court.”
RecipientKarl Lepin“to Karl Lepin”
ContextMilitary prize“Prize for riding with a gun to the gunner of the 6th battalion of the L.Gv. 2nd Artillery Brigade”

Visible details

  • Enamel dial with Roman numerals and a small seconds register
  • Applied Imperial monogram and crown on the outer case back
  • Gold-toned crown and bow
  • Engraved inscription on the interior dust cover

Research qualifications

  • The exact provenance of this specific watch is not provided beyond the identified recipient
  • The relationship between this monogram and the Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich referenced in literature requires further verification

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Prize pocket watch made of silver, Pavel Bure company. Russia, turn of the 19th-20th century.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record fcbe82b611

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.