158
Cartier
Ref. 78102
Coussin Bamboo "Jumbo"
A rare and architectural yellow gold rectangular wristwatch
Full-Cataloguing
- Less than 250 pieces made and 12 known to the public market
- Rare Jumbo Model in 18k yellow gold
- Very good overall condition
- Fresh to the market
Few designs embody the bold creativity of Cartier’s 1970s output as vividly as the Coussin “Bamboo.” Sculptural and expressive, its deeply grooved case and lugs draw inspiration from the natural rhythm of bamboo, reinterpreted through Cartier’s unmistakable Parisian elegance.
The present example is the ultra-rare Jumbo model, crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold. With its strong square case and pronounced fluting, it perfectly captures the free-spirited design language of the era. According to current scholarship, production is believed to have been limited to approximately 250 pieces, with fewer than a dozen yellow gold examples publicly appearing at auction, making this an exceptionally rare sight. Signed “Paris,” the clean white dial with blued steel hands is consistent with known examples. Preserved in good condition, this Jumbo Coussin “Bamboo” stands as a striking and collectible expression of Cartier’s most daring design period.
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.