Antiquorum Auctioneers since 1974

Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Monaco, Jun 28, 2026

LOT 191

CARTIER, SWITZERLAND, GOLD-PLATED GUILLOCHÉ BRASS, "MYSTERY PRISMA", MINIATURE DESK CLOCK, 8-DAY MOVEMENT

EUR 3,000 - 6,000

CHF 2,800 - 5,600 / HKD 27,200 - 55,000 / USD 3,500 - 7,000 / JPY 560,000 - 1,110,000

An ine, rare and highly ingenious, manual-winding, gold-plated guilloché brass miniature prismatic mystery desk clock with champagne dial and blued steel hands.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2-10

Very good

Patinated
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Cartier, Switzerland

Model GOLD-PLATED GUILLOCHÉ BRASS, "MYSTERY PRISMA", MINIATURE DESK CLOCK, 8-DAY MOVEMENT

Year circa 1960s–1970s.

Case No. 153935

Caliber  8-day manual winding, movement concealed in base

Length 28 mm

Width 18 mm

Weight 37,31 g

Signature Dial, case and movement

Notes

The prism clock operates on the principles of a periscope. Through two prisms that reflect and refract light, the clock's dial appears or disappears depending on the angle of view.
The prism clock was invented by Gaston Cusin and patented on January 4th, 1937. Born in 1897, Cusin was a talented and inventive watchmaker who built his first clock at the age of 14. He proved an invaluable asset to the workshop of Maurice Couet, which he joined when the Cartier-affiliated atelier relocated to the rue Lafayette in Paris in 1919. The first miniature version of the Cartier prism clock dates from 1952 and belonged to Ali Aga Khan, the husband of Rita Hayworth. It is illustrated in F. Chaille & F. Cologni, The Cartier Collection: Timepieces, Paris: Flammarion, 2006, p. 353.