Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Geneva, May 10, 2025
LOT 557
CARTIER/ EUROPEAN WATCH & CLOCK CO., SWITZERLAND, "COUTEAU", 18K YELLOW GOLD
CHF 5,000 - 8,000
HKD 47,500 - 76,000 / USD 6,200 - 9,800 / EUR 5,400 - 8,600
Sold: CHF 8,750
A fine and rare, thin, art deco, 18k yellow gold, manual wind pocket watch with two-tone silver dial
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-6-8-01 |
Very good Slightly oxidized Slightly scratched HANDS Original |
Brand Cartier/ European Watch & Clock Co., switzerland
Model "Couteau"
Year circa 1925
Movement No. 6267
Case No. D4697/20926
Diameter 48
Caliber 21 jewels
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories fitted box, 18k gold chain
Notes
Cartier, “Montre Couteau”
“Couteau” is the term used by Cartier in their manufacturing records to described this type of watches with knife-edge cases, open-face or hunting-case models.
The case of the hunting-case version is of an unusual construction with its two-body (cover and case-back); the movement is housed in an adapter ring whose upper part forms the bezel.
Cartier sourced their “Couteau” watch movements from several suppliers. These included, as of 1935, LeCoultre (future Jaeger-LeCoultre), who had just invented a movement of 7.75 douzièmes (only 2 mm. thick), and, Vacheron & Constantin, who from 1940 utilized a movement which was seven douzièmes (only 1.31 mm. thick). This allowed them to produce incredibly thin watches.
These watches – with less than 4 mm. thick for the open-face version and less 5 mm. version for the hunting-case version – are among the thinnest mechanical watches ever produced.
“Couteau” is the term used by Cartier in their manufacturing records to described this type of watches with knife-edge cases, open-face or hunting-case models.
The case of the hunting-case version is of an unusual construction with its two-body (cover and case-back); the movement is housed in an adapter ring whose upper part forms the bezel.
Cartier sourced their “Couteau” watch movements from several suppliers. These included, as of 1935, LeCoultre (future Jaeger-LeCoultre), who had just invented a movement of 7.75 douzièmes (only 2 mm. thick), and, Vacheron & Constantin, who from 1940 utilized a movement which was seven douzièmes (only 1.31 mm. thick). This allowed them to produce incredibly thin watches.
These watches – with less than 4 mm. thick for the open-face version and less 5 mm. version for the hunting-case version – are among the thinnest mechanical watches ever produced.
Provenance
Property of a Swiss collector