Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Hong-kong, Jun 08, 2002

LOT 197

Cartier, circa 1920.Unsigned, circa 1920.Two very unusual, fine and rare, gilt silver, painted on enamel eight day-going Art Deco chinoiserie desk clocks, one with minute-repeating. Accompanied by original leather fitted box.

C. Both of the same shape and basic characteristics, elongated hexagonal base, shallow roof base of azure opaque enamel, side panels with alternating blue and black stripes, front painted in Chinese style with a lake and pagoda and mountains in the background, the large one also with fishermen and gold pier, small one with Chinese sailboat and two figures on the shore, roof with sides of black enamel painted in gold floral design, front and back of azure enamel painted with a small branch with laves, large one with faceted black marble base, small one with faceted pink rock crystal base. D. Large one: matte and gilt, Arabic numerals stylized in Chinese type, elaborated hands with green and red champlevé enamel painted with white pattern. Small one: bakelite simulating ivory, applied gold upright Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, hands of the same shape as the large ones but with blue and white enamel. M. Both rectangular, the large one 53 x 37 mm., nickel, 15 jewels, platform witstraight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring, repeating on two long gongs by depressing the push button at the top. Small one 35 x 23 mm., rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, Breguet balance spring.Signed on the dial (small one), case punched "European Watch & Clock Co." and with Cartier numbers, the movement signed Geneva Clock Co, No. 57465. The large one unsigned, the movement shows all characteristics found on movements by Geneva Clock Co.Dim. Large one: height 20 cm., base width 20 cm., small one: height 8 cm, based width 8 cm.