This clock, manufactured by Cartier to the highest standard, is made from a nephrite hardstone. The dial is an incredible guilloché enamel and the hands are set with diamonds. The clock is also decorated with millegrain gold work and sapphire gemstones. Remarkably, the clock still retains its original fitted presentation box.

It is well documented that Cartier was heavily influenced by Fabergé in the beginning of the 20th century. The construction of this clock is very much in the Russian Fabergé style, evident by the use of hardstone, gemstones, millegrain work and the lovely and unusual opalescent fluorescent enamel dial. The manufacture of these dials requires an additional heat process that generate the opalescent effect, which is incredibly difficult to achieve. A Cartier clock with opalescent dial can be found on the Paris City Council gifts, which they had Cartier commissioned for Nicolas Nzar II, which was an incredible nephrite, gold and opalescent enamel Imperial egg.

In excellent overall condition, the present lot illustrates Louis Cartier's desire to control the Russian market at a time when the imperial court and Tzar Nicholas II were incredibly powerful clients.