José Rodríguez Losada was a renowned Spanish watchmaker established in London in the mid-19th century. His exquisite creations were prized both in England and internationally, notably in Spain and Latin America.

The present watch is a fine example of London work for the Spanish market, combining a complex movement with a highly decorated case and dial. The 2-train movement and the repeating work are fully jewelled in screwed in settings, and the silver dial is highlighted in gold around the subsidiary calendar and seconds dials. The 18k case covers, band, cuvette, pendant and bow are intricately engraved with scrolling leaf and flower motifs, a style much admired in South America in the 19th century. The case is London hallmarked for 1851 and is stamped with the case makers initials GH for Gustavus Huegenin who registered his mark in 1842.

As indicated on the cuvette, the present timepiece was made for Luciano de Murrieta, a Peruvian-born Spanish winemaker. He relocated to London with his family in 1824. Before embarking on his winemaking career, Murrieta served in the Spanish army during the First Carlist War, where he befriended Baldomero Espartero, a powerful general and politician who later financed his venture. After his exile in London, he founded the Marqués de Murrieta winery and introduced the Bordeaux technique of aging wine in oak barrels to Rioja in 1852. Shortly thereafter, he exported his first vintage to countries such as Mexico and Cuba, making it the first fine Rioja wine to be distributed internationally. He was later appointed Marqués de Murrieta in the 1870s.

Remarkably well-preserved for over 170 years, this timepiece offers a rare opportunity to acquire a lavishly decorated pocket watch once owned by the iconic and historically significant winemaker Luciano de Murrieta.