Cartier - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: 1927
    Case No: 19285 and Cartier hand stamped numbers 03872 and 19283, engraved Oscar C. Seebass, New York City
    Model Name: Grand Tank Cintrée
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 9’’’, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Platinum Cartier bracelet, max. length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum and 18K pink gold Cartier folding deployant clasp stamped 8852
    Dimensions: 46.5mm length and 23mm width
    Accessories: Accompanied by photocopy of Cartier ledger confirming manufacture of the present watch, photocopy of Census of the United States, photocopy of List of United States Citizens listing Seebass and photocopy of O. Seebass & R. Simon Patent.
    Literature: The present watch is prominently featured in White Cartier Bianco by Osvaldo Patrizzi, watch ‘137’.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Cartier: The jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers. There are few names in the world of high watchmaking and high jewelry that attract admiration more so than Cartier. Founded by Louis-François Cartier in Paris in 1847, the legendary firm, from its beginnings, has been associated with exquisite craftsmanship and classic, sophisticated elegance. Their clientele is a Who’s Who in the world of fashion, politics, and society, with names like Wallace Simpson, Princess Grace of Monaco, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Andy Warhol, and even Formula 1 superstar, Ayrton Senna. In 1904, Cartier created the world’s first men’s wristwatch to incorporate integrated lugs for the renowned aviator, Alberto Santos Dumont. Following up on the success of this early timepiece, Cartier realized the Baignoire and Tortue in 1912, and in 1917, the revolutionary “Tank”. Designed near the end of World War I, the inspiration for the Tank’s groundbreaking design came from the top view of the very first Renault military tank vehicle deployed that same year.

    Introduced in 1921, the 9-ligne, Grand Tank Cintrée model was the largest and boldest variation of Cartier’s Tank line. With its long, slender, and gracefully arching case, the Cintrée is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful watches made during the 1920s to 1940s. Measuring a dramatic 46mm long by 23mm wide, the Cintrée’s highly curved case was designed to hug the curves of the wrist. The expansive dial and case combine straight lines, sensual curves, and crisp angles, resulting in a ‘modern’ wristwatch with a design far ahead of its time. The present Grand Tank Cintrée, manufactured in platinum fitted with its original and removable Cartier platinum 7-link bracelet is, quite possibly, the finest and best-preserved example known. The most iconic version of Cartier’s iconic Tank model revered for its gentlemanly elegance, it houses an extremely wellfinished European Watch and Clock 9’’’ caliber supplied by LeCoultre and finished by Edmond Jaeger. Formerly owned by the financier Oscar C. Seebass, U.S. census records indicate Seebass and his wife Florence lived and worked near Manhattan, New York in the early 20th century. Ninety years after it was manufactured, it is as elegant and breathtaking today as it was during the “Roaring Twenties”. We are incredibly honored to present this watch. It is an opportunity to satiate even the most demanding of collectors.

  • 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. 

    View More Works

30

An exceptionally fine, large, rare, and important curved platinum wristwatch with bracelet and movement by European Watch and Clock Co.

1927
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
46.5mm length and 23mm width

Estimate
$250,000 - 500,000 
CHF244,000-487,000
€213,000-426,000
HK$1,950,000-3,900,000

Sold for $350,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017