Gold and enamel hunter case two train minute repeating grande and petite sonnerie perpetual calendar watch with the moon phases, presented to Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada y Corral, President of Mexico, enamel portrait signed C. Glardon. With nickel-finished two-train lever movement separately winded by turning the crown to either side, 35 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, screwed gold chatons, minute repeating and en passant grande and petite sonnerie striking on two hammers onto two gongs, finely chased and engraved floral decorated gold cuvette, the gilt dial with vari-colored gold floral decor in high relief, Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, three apertures for the day, date and month, subsidiary dial indicating moon phases combined with lunar calendar and seconds, the massive circular case with finely chased and engraved oak leaf and laurel wreath decoration, signifying Power and Glory, the front centered by blank shield-shaped cartouche with onlay green, red and white enamel initials SLT for Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, oval painted enamel portrait depicting Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada and signed C. Glardon to the inside, the inlaid polychrome enamel emblem of Mexico to the reverse, the inside engraved Al exlarecido C. Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada Presidente de los E.U. Mexicanos El Gobierno del Distrito, la Inspeccion General, las Prefecturas y los Cuerpos y Resguardos de Policia Mexico 20 Enero de 1876, "Silencio/Campano" and "Gde Campan?o/Pno Campano" levers for silence/sonnerie, grande sonnerie/petite sonnerie underneath the bezel, repeating slide in the band, case numbered, cuvette signed and numbered. Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada y Corral - one of Mexico's foremost but forgotten leaders, Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada lived through a very important time in the nation's history, yet very little is remembered of him. In his book "The Life of Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada", Frank Knapp wrote "Not only is he unknown to the world at large, but his significance has been lost even to the vast majority of Mexican people. He lived through the Reforma (initiated in 1854), the French intervention (1863-1867), the restoration with Juarez; and his own presidency". Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada y Corral (24 April 1823, Jalapa, Veracruz - 21 April 1889, New York City) was born into a Criollo family. He became known as the Liberal leader and supporter of President Juarez. In 1857 he was minister for foreign affairs for three months under Ignacio Comonfort and became president of the Chamber of Deputies in 1861. During the French intervention and the reign of Emperor Maximilian he continued to be loyal to the republicans and had an active share in conducting the national resistance. He was the minister for foreign affairs to President Juarez, whom he succeeded after his death (18 July 1872), in the midst of a revolt. Lerdo de Tejada achieved some success in pacifying the country and began construction of the railways. He was re-elected on 24 July 1876 but was expelled on 20 November of the same year by Porfirio Diaz. He went into go into banishment in New York where he died some years after. He was buried in Mexico.

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