Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 11, 2012

LOT 299

CARTIER CHINOISERIE GARNITURE DE BUREAU ?WATER BUFFALOES? Cartier France, the movement by the Geneva Clock Co. Made circa 1920. Fine and rare, silver?gilt mounted soapstone, 8-day going desk clock mounted on a leather-covered base set with a pair of silver-gilt mounted inkwells with carved soapstone water buffalo covers and a silver-gilt pen tray with carved and pierced soapstone fitted panels. Accompanied by an overhaul estimate from Cartier.

C. Square with silver-gilt frame chased with laurel and paterae decoration, pierced and carved soapstone panel with Chinese characters in the center, fl anked on each side by an inkwell with glass liner, the hinged covers mounted with carved recumbent water buffaloes, pen tray at the front with inset carved and pierced panels, gold-tooled morocco covered outswept base. D. Matte gilt chapter ring with engraved radial Roman numerals, fl owerheads between, outer minute divisions. Silver fl ower hands. M. 43 mm., rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with 3 adjustments, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Underside of base signed Cartier, movement signed Geneva Clock Co. Dim. 39 x 16.5 x 11 cm.