Muhammad VIII al-Amin known as Lamine Bey was the last Bey of Tunis and also the only King of Tunisia. He was enthroned in unusual circumstances following the removal of his predecessor by the French Resident General in 1943. It was not until the latter's death in 1948 that his legitimacy was recognized by the people of Tunisia.
Made for a king, the present pocket watch displays an extremely elegant and sober dial design. The opaline dial is simply adorned by elongated painted indexes with an impressively long 12 just above the name of the sovereign. The last element of the dial is the Swiss designation at 6 o’clock. Fitted in a slightly Art Deco type white gold case is an ultra-thin Audemars Piguet manual caliber. Altogether, this watch can be considered a hymn to simplicity and good taste.
Delivered to the king in 1956, a few months before he had to leave his palace, the watch remains in virtually untouched condition. In addition to its intrinsic value, this watch represents a very important testimony of Tunisia’s history.