22
Cartier
Prism
A highly rare, charming and very unusual miniature prism clock with original presentation box
- Estimate
- CHF10,000 - 20,000€10,800 - 21,500$12,400 - 24,800
CHF27,940
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Cartier
- Year
- Circa 1940
- Movement No
- 76'382
- Case No
- 79'695 on base and inside of the clock
- Model Name
- Prism
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, European Watch Co. caliber, 16 jewels
- Dimensions
- 17.5mm length, 17.5mm width and 28.5mm height
- Signed
- Case signed, movement signed European Watch Clock & Co, case furthermore signed with Cartier hand stamped numbers
- Accessories
- Accompanied by its original Cartier fitted box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
An intriguing and charming horological marvel, the present prism clock dates to the 1930s and creates an optical illusion made to amuse the viewer to no end.
In 1937, Cartier received a patent for the prism system, based on the periscope principle. Invented by Gaston Cusin, a colleague of Maurice Couet who famously created the mystery clock, the Prism clock was made to captivate the viewer with a visual trick. Cusin was inspired by the design of a periscope and created a prism that sits inside the clock. This prism is positioned above the clock face and mechanism, which are hidden in the base. The dial and the hands of a miniature clock are reflected and refracted by two prisms in such a way that they would appear if the clock were situated directly opposite at a precise angle. As a result, the clock face is visible from the front at a slight angle, but "empty" in the back.
So rare is this model that over the last decade, only a handful have ever appeared at public auction.
As an even more charming touch, the clock is accompanied by its original Cartier fitted presentation box, made to perfectly fit the dimensions of the timepiece.
In 1937, Cartier received a patent for the prism system, based on the periscope principle. Invented by Gaston Cusin, a colleague of Maurice Couet who famously created the mystery clock, the Prism clock was made to captivate the viewer with a visual trick. Cusin was inspired by the design of a periscope and created a prism that sits inside the clock. This prism is positioned above the clock face and mechanism, which are hidden in the base. The dial and the hands of a miniature clock are reflected and refracted by two prisms in such a way that they would appear if the clock were situated directly opposite at a precise angle. As a result, the clock face is visible from the front at a slight angle, but "empty" in the back.
So rare is this model that over the last decade, only a handful have ever appeared at public auction.
As an even more charming touch, the clock is accompanied by its original Cartier fitted presentation box, made to perfectly fit the dimensions of the timepiece.
Cartier
FrenchWith 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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