Manufacturer: Cartier
Year: Circa 1928
Movement No: 2'978'659
Case No: 2619
Model Name: La Pendule Écran Art Deco
Material: Rock crystal, green jade, yellow gold, mother-of-pearl, kingfisher feather, enamel and diamonds
Calibre: Manual, European Watch and Clock Co. cal. 19.41, 19 jewels
Dimensions: 11cm length x 14.5cm height x 7.3cm width
Signed: Signed Cartier, Paris, Londres, New York, made in France
Catalogue Essay
A creation of East meets West, Cartier under the leaderships of Louis Cartier and Maurice Coüet created some of the world’s most exquisite clocks during the 20th century. A marriage of Asian influence effortlessly blending with the Western Art Deco style, and array of creations where exotic motifs and materials decorates the room of aristocrats and royals a like.

Inspired by Oriental screens, the Écran, French term for panel, was first produced in 1923. Very few examples were ever produced, thereby making each and every one a rare collectable. Crafted with in rich green jade and yellow gold, the arches are contrasted with the translucent rock crystals that are often used for Mystery clocks. The panels that frames the clock is decorated with enamel and ribbed jade columns to add a three-dimensional hand feel to the overall smooth silhouette.

Crafted from Cartier Paris as denoted on the dial, the impressive marquetry mother-of-pearl floral motif reflects a touch of femininity in contrast with the dark green jade. Extremely elegant, Cartier topped it off with a rare craft to this already stunning clock. Tian-Tsui, is a Chinese craft featuring kingfisher feathers. For 2,000 years, the Chinese have been using the iridescent quality of these blue feathers of the majestic bird as inlay for fine art objects, panels and screens. Its unique electric blue sheen from the bird achieves a vivid colour that no enamel can replicate. An extremely painstaking artisanal technique that demands the most skilled craftsmen, back in the days Cartier was able to deliver this rare trade in their Parisian workshop.

Numbered 2619, the present clock is signed Cartier, Paris, Londres, New York, made in France on the base with a clever feat to hide the winding key within. Numerous deep French eagle hallmark can be found on the clock, as well as the MC hallmark that is preserved in crisp condition throughout. Housed within is a Longines ébauche based manual key wound European Watch Clock & Co. signed 8 day movement.

A highly rare example to feature kingfisher feathers, the present Pendule Écran Art Deco from circa 1928 has been in a private collection for over three decades.
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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