While the Cartier Asymmetric is incredibly celebrated today, less is known about its ancestor, the Paralélogramme - the very model that inspired the storied model that graces the catalog of Cartier today. Having resided within a noble Belgian family for half a century, the present watch is one of the most impressive Cartier discoveries in recent years. The consignor had originally received the watch as a gift from her husband. Known as the Paralélogramme due to the likeness of its shape to its namesake, the model was first launched in 1936. A twist on the classic Tank model, the Paralélogramme shifted both the case and the dial 30 degrees and lay flat on the wrist. The Paralélogramme perfectly encapsulates Cartier's design ethos of the 20th century and illustrates how the brand constantly pushed boundaries of form and design. It joins mythic models such as the Cintrée, Crash, Baignoire Allongée, all of which are cornerstones of Cartier's brilliant history.

The present watch from the 1960s stands out due to its exceptional condition. All numbers and hallmarks on the caseback are crisp and visible, and show barely, if any signs of intervention over the years. The dial too is equally impressive as it has not been altered over the years and remains free of signs of aging. Vintage Cartier timepieces are far and few in between, and to discover one in such original condition is a truly rare occasion. To date, only a few handful of original examples exist, making the present timepiece incredibly rare and collectible.