Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 1910 Movement No: 30’225 Model Name: La Mignonette Royale Material: Gold, silver, agate, enamel, moonstone, rose-cut diamonds Dimensions: 80 mm height, 58 mm width and 50 mm length Signed: Dial signed; Movement signed Nocturne Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier fitted travel presentation box and key. Provenance: Sotheby’s London, Important Clocks, Watches, Wristwatches and Barometers, 14 December 1995, lot 55 Stated as The Property of HRF Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia, formerly in the Collection of HM Queen Marie of Yugoslavia Literature: For another example of a minute repeating Cartier desk clock with pink enamel case, please see The Cartier Collection: Timepieces, Flammarion, page 83.
Provenance
Sotheby’s London, Important Clocks, Watches, Wristwatches and Barometers, 14 December 1995, lot 55 Stated as The Property of HRF Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia, formerly in the Collection of HM Queen Marie of Yugoslavia
Catalogue Essay
Louis Cartier joined the family business in 1898 at the age of 23, bringing a fresh perspective that propelled Cartier into new realms with ambitious goals. As an Haute Joaillerie maison, Louis inherited impeccable taste, refined cultivation, and an open mind, aiming to carve a niche in the world of timepieces. His designs were heavily influenced by the Louis XVI style, characterized by gold decorations, while also integrating his personal aesthetic of pure, geometric lines.
The present cubic desk clock from circa 1910 perfectly embodies Louis’ design philosophy. While some examples feature various colors of enamel with guilloché patterns, this particular iteration is a rare and unusual combination of gold, silver, and enamel stripes. Delicate and elegant, the clock is set on an agate base, which beautifully complements the rich tones of the clock body. The enamel dial is exceptionally well-preserved, encircled by a ring of white enamel dots, with rose-cut diamond-set hands that enhance the overall brilliance of the piece. A moonstone pusher at the top activates the minute repeating function, allowing the hour and minutes to chime elegantly, reminiscent of a cathedral bell.
The original fitted travel box accompanying the clock is equally delicate and intriguing. Perfectly designed to house the clock, it features a secret compartment for storing the key. A lift of the leather flap reveals the dial, enabling the time to be read instantly without removing the clock. The box is also stamped, indicating it was sold at Cartier Paris on 13 Rue de la Paix.
Previously owned by HRH Prince Tomislav of Yugoslavia, this clock was sold nearly 30 years ago and has been passed down as an heirloom from HM Queen Maria of Yugoslavia. It has since been kept in an important private collection and remains untouched. In excellent overall condition, the clock shows no signs of restoration, making it a beautifully preserved and striking piece of art by Cartier.
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.
A very rare and attractive gold, silver, moonstone, agate and enamel minute repeating desk clock with enamel dial, diamond-set hands and fitted presentation box
Circa 1910 80 mm height, 58 mm width and 50 mm length Dial signed; Movement signed Nocturne