Cartier - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: 2006
    Reference No: 2819
    Movement No: 2892A2
    Case No: 10079LX
    Model Name: Santos 100
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 049, 21 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Cartier double folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier fitted presentation box, outer packaging and Certificate dated 12 October 2006.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Santos watch was first created in 1904 by Louis Cartier in honor of, and for his friend and aviation legend, Alberto Santos-Dumont. The aviator had previously lamented to the jeweler on the difficulties of checking his pocket watch while flying. To address the problem, Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for the aviator. The Santos watch was subsequently born, and legend says that Santos-Dumont never wore another watch while flying ever again.

    Since 1904, Cartier has produced many variations of the Santos watch, making the model an instant classic within the watch community. The present example, cased in platinum, is an oversized and luxurious interpretation of the now-iconic watch.

    It is believed that the present watch was offered exclusively at the Paris Cartier Boutique, with only four examples cased in platinum in total. This example, featuring red numerals and a ruby crown, was made in two pieces only, with the other two pieces featuring blue numerals a sapphire crown. Most Santos wristwatches feature the numerals in black, making this watch incredibly striking and unusual.

    While the Santos was cased in a variety of metals such as yellow gold or pink gold, platinum is without a doubt the most coveted and precious of all metals. Preserved in excellent condition, the watch is accompanied by its original accessories.

  • Artist Biography

    Cartier

    French

    With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.

    Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open. 

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Ref. 2819
A highly rare, heavy and large platinum wristwatch with sweep center seconds, red Roman numerals and certificate

2006
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,800-46,300
$29,700-49,500

Sold for CHF37,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017