128 - LONGINES

LONGINES 'Gazi M. Kemal' Historic watch associated with Reza Shah Pahlavi's state visit to Turkey and his meeting with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Ankara, 16-17 June 1934, engraved on the back with 'Gazi M. Kemal' and dated '16 Haziran 1934' Historical collection also comprising archive photographs, two gilded metal writing instruments and a silver-plated commemorative medal linked to Reza Shah Pahlavi's state visit to Turkey and his meeting with Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Ankara, 16-17 June 1934 The watch forms part of a historical collection of rare coherence, comprising both a commemorative silver-plated medal, two gold-plated presentation writing instruments and a substantial body of contemporary archival documents. Preserved along with its documentation, this collection provides exceptional evidence of the relations between the Iran of Reza Shah Pahlavi and the Turkey of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. According to family tradition, the collection was presented during Reza Shah Pahlavi's official visit to Turkey in June 1934, and was subsequently kept by the descendants of Admiral Zelli, who was part of the official Iranian delegation at this meeting held in Ankara from 16 June, a pivotal moment in the diplomatic rapprochement between the two modernising states. The Longines watch The centrepiece of this set is a rectangular 14k gold Longines watch, No. 5 111 555, whose the official archives of Longines confirm that it was invoiced on 26 June 1932 to Djezvedjian, the official distributor for Longines in the Ottoman Empire and subsequently in Turkey for several decades from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century. The case back is engraved with the signature of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, 'Gazi M. Kemal' (Mustafa Kemal the Victorious), and also bears the inscription '16 Haziran 1934' (16 June 1934), the date corresponding to the official arrival of Reza Shah Pahlavi in Ankara. This engraving establishes a direct link between this commemorative watch and the ceremonies organised during the historic meeting between the two heads of state. The archival document drawn up by Longines in Saint-Imier in 1990 confirms the historical authenticity of the watch and its manufacture in the workshops of the Swiss manufacturer, as part of a series of 144 pieces produced on 10 September 1930 and delivered to the official agent Djezvedjian on 26 June 1932. The historical significance of this watch lies in its engraved dedication to Mustafa Kemal, which links it directly to the founder of modern Turkey. Preserved since its creation by the descendants of Admiral Zelli, a member of Reza Shah Pahlavi's official delegation in 1934, it is one of the very few pieces of this type still known to be in private hands. The commemorative silver plated medal The set includes a rare commemorative silver plated medal, struck as an official memento of Reza Shah Pahlavi's 1934 state visit to Turkey. The obverse features a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, surrounded by inscriptions in Turkish reading 'Gazi Mustafa Kemal', 'Riza Shah Pahlavi' and the date 'Ankara 1934'. The reverse features a portrait of Reza Shah Pahlavi, accompanied by a caption in Persian celebrating the meeting between the two nations. This combination of languages, together with the effigies of both leaders, gives the medal significant diplomatic and symbolic significance. The relief portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, shown in profile, is surrounded by the following honorary inscriptions: 'Gazi M. Kemal'(Mustafa Kemal the Victorious) 'Hazreti Humayun Riza Shah Pahlavi' (His Imperial Majesty Reza Shah Pahlavi) 'Ankara 1934' The date 1934 refers directly to Reza Shah's state visit to Turkey, the Iranian sovereign's only official trip abroad during his reign. By bringing together the portraits of the two heads of state and through the alternating use of Turkish and Persian - each language accompanying the effigy of one or the other leader - this medal goes beyond a mere commemorative function. It depicts a genuine symbolic dialogue between two nations then engaged in far-reaching modernisation policies and embodies, in an official form, the rapprochement between Mustafa Kemal's Turkey and Reza Shah's Iran. A rare official memento of this historic meeting, it appears to have been intended for a select circle of political, military and diplomatic figures. The two writing instruments The set also includes: a mechanical pencil and a matching fountain pen. Both items are crafted from gold plated metal, richly decorated with floral and geometric motifs of Ottoman inspiration. The finesse of their engraving, as well as their perfect stylistic harmony with the medal suggest that they were specially commissioned for this diplomatic occasion. Writing instruments traditionally symbolise friendship between states, the signing of agreements and diplomatic relations. Photographs and official menu The photographs preserved with the set show Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Reza Shah surrounded by Turkish military and civilian officials, alongside members of the Iranian delegation. They form part of the official ceremonies organised during Reza Shah's visit to Turkey in June 1934. The collection also includes the official menu for the state banquet of 17 June 1934, a document of particular interest. Printed in French, then the language of international diplomacy, it highlights the ceremonial and prestigious nature of the receptions held in honour of the Iranian sovereign. This document, together with the period photographs, sheds light on the ceremonial setting of the visit, marked by official receptions, visits to military installations and several protocol events bringing the two heads of state together. Historical significance of this official meeting The 1934 meeting between Ataturk and Reza Shah is regarded as one of the most significant diplomatic events in the Middle East during the interwar period. It symbolises the rapprochement between two states engaged in profound political, military and social modernisation. As such, this collection goes far beyond mere horological or numismatic interest. It constitutes a rare tangible record of Turkish-Iranian relations during the era of the great reformers of the 20th century and is of significant historical, diplomatic and cultural heritage value. PROVENANCE Passed down through the direct line of Admiral Zelli's family since 1934. The provenance is attested by a facsimile of a letter signed by Farhad Zelli, a direct descendant of Admiral Zelli, dated 15 May 2000, stating that the Longines watch and the associated items have been kept within the family since they were presented in 1934 on the occasion of Reza Shah Pahlavi's official visit to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Reza Shah Pahlavi's visit to Turkey from 16 to 18 June 1934 was one of the major diplomatic events in the Middle East at the beginning of the 20th century. The meeting between Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, and Reza Shah Pahlavi, the architect of Iran's modernisation, symbolises the rapprochement between two states engaged in far-reaching political, administrative and military reforms. Objects directly associated with this event remain extremely rare. Even rarer are collections preserved with their original documentation and a continuous family provenance. Thanks to its exceptional documentary coherence, the quality of its archives and the historical significance of the watch engraved with Ataturk's signature and dated 16 June 1934, this collection constitutes a first-rate testimony to diplomatic relations between Turkey and Iran in the early 20th century.