1164 - Kienzle Pan American desk clock that belonged to King Leopold III. From the estate of a gendarme who served King Leopold III and Princess Lilian. A circular gilded brass clock with gilded brass hour markers; its dial features a planisphere showing time zones and a day/night indicator at the bottom. Signed by the German clockmaker Kienzle, Pan American model. The mechanism requires servicing. The clock is mounted on a gilded rectangular base bearing a plaque engraved with the inscription “To King Leopold III, great traveler and explorer.” According to the family’s account, this clock was located in King Leopold III’s private office and was given to its former owner by Princess Lilian as a token of gratitude for services rendered and as a testament to the bond of friendship that united them. The gendarme, the former owner of this object, had entered the service of the royal couple at the Château d’Argenteuil, where he was responsible for guarding the estate and ensuring the personal safety of its occupants, particularly that of Princess Lilian. A relationship of trust, mutual respect, and almost friendship had gradually developed between them. It was in this context that the princess is said to have given him several mementos of her late husband. After Princess Lilian’s death in 2002, the gendarme ended his career at the Royal Palace. Kienzle Pan American desk clock belonging to King Leopold III of Belgium. From the estate of a Belgian gendarme who served King Leopold III and Princess Lilian. Circular gilt-brass desk clock with matching gilt-brass hour markers. The dial features a world map showing the time zones, with a day-and-night indicator in the lower section. Signed by the German clockmaker Kienzle, Pan American model. The movement requires servicing. The clock is mounted on a rectangular gilt base bearing an engraved plaque inscribed “Au Roi Leopold III, grand voyageur et explorateur” (To King Leopold III, great traveler and explorer). According to the family’s account of its history, this clock stood in King Leopold III’s private study and was presented to its former owner by Princess Lilian in gratitude for his service and as a token of their affection for one another. The gendarme, the former owner of this item, had entered the service of the royal couple at Château d’Argenteuil, where he was responsible for the security of the estate and the personal protection of its occupants, particularly Princess Lilian. Over time, a relationship of trust, mutual respect, and almost friendship developed between them. It was in this context that the princess reportedly presented him with several mementos of her late husband. Following Princess Lilian’s death in 2002, the gendarme completed his career at the Royal Palace.