Cartier - The Watch Auction: One Geneva Saturday, May 9, 2015 | Phillips

The Watch Auction: One

Geneva Auction 10 May 2015 6:30pm

  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: 1964
    Case No: 46'247
    Model Name: Montre bracelet reversible basculante
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, 6'''
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k gold, Cartier buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm. Length; 23mm. Wide
    Signed: Case and movement signed European Watch and Clock, dial signed Cartier, case further stamped with hand stamped numbers on the outside and inside revolving case No. 46247

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the early 1930s, Cartier presented the montre bracelet réversible basculante featuring a case, housing the movement and dial, pivoting within a frame around a central axis. It is consequently logic why the crown had to be positioned at the 12 o’clock position. The need was to protect the crystal and dial in view of an ever increasing level of sports and outdoor activities undertaken by high society. Another advantage with this fascinating construction was the possibility to engrave the case back and enjoy it permanently, without having to remove the watch from the wrist.The present example is an extremely rare version of the 1960s, featuring slightly larger case proportions and a more masculine look. Scholarship suggests that Cartier only made a small handful of these watches around 1964, rendering the present piece, preserved in excellent condition, a very rare collector’s watch.

  • 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. 

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103

Cartier

A very rare and attractive yellow gold reversible wristwatch

1964
42mm. Length; 23mm. Wide
Case and movement signed European Watch and Clock, dial signed Cartier, case further stamped with hand stamped numbers on the outside and inside revolving case No. 46247

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 40,000 

Sold for CHF37,500

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Watch Auction: One

Geneva Auction 10 May 2015 6:30pm