Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

New York, Dec 11, 2014

LOT 162

CARTIER ART-DECO ELECTRIC TABLE CLOCK BRASS Cartier, "Electric", No. 134/651, the movement by the Cartier-founded "Delvicar" Company for electric clocks. Made between 1935 and 1938. Very fine and extremely rare, Art-Deco, black lacquered, silver, mirror-glass, gilt-brass, agate and coral, battery-powered electric table clock.

USD 4,500 - 7,500

HKD 35,000 - 58,000 / CHF 4,300 - 7,200

Sold: USD 5,500

Rectangular, the main body coated in black lacquer, one each side an demi-elliptical mirrored glass panel with gilt-brass and coral cap, cylindrical coral mounts above and below the chapter ring, rectangular agate base with gilt-brass feet, black-lacquered back with four screws, battery housing in the push-fit base. Square silver chapter ring on the case with black lacquer baton indexes, glazed in the center over a silver sunray engine-turned panel. Black lacquered gilt Art-Deco hands. No. 554, electric, circular, nickel-plated, oscillating electromagnet, 3 jewels, regulation from the back.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial signed "Cartier Electric", case numbered, movement signed "Delvicar". DIM. 12.3 x 10.9 x 58 mm. The present clock (in working order) is one of the very rare examples of the Cartier Electric clock and is in a particularly lavish and impressive Art-Deco case. By the mid-1930's Cartier were experimenting with electric clocks and indeed set up the "Delvicar" company expressly for this purpose. However, they were extremely expensive to make and were not a commercial proposition, this combined with the outbreak of World War II ended the project. Therefore the Cartier Electric had only a brief period of manufacture between 1935 and 1938. See: "Cartier", Hans Nadelhoffer, 2007, p.275.