Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 302

Cartier, Paris, No. 2 from a limited series of approximately 50 examples, produced from 1995 to 1997. Very fine and rare white gold keyless Mystery watch, accompanied by matching original Cartier chain.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 20,000 - 27,000 / USD 23,000 - 31,000

Sold: CHF 32,200

C. Two-piece, knife edge, polished with eccentric aperture for the mystery hands with champlevé Roman chapter on the periphery. D. Clear s. sapphire. M. Square with canted corners, 34 x 34 mm (16 x16''') rhodium plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance with self-compensating flat balance spring, Incablock shockproof protection on both balance pivots, aperture below the train for sapphire discs holding the hands.Signed on case and movement.Diam. 50 mm


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1 - 01

Notes

Very intelligently built rare watch. The idea for this type of mystery mechanism came from Armand Schwob & Frère à Paris, patented on 24 January 1889. Cartier took it a step further by employing a high quality large movement with an opening in the middle, while the Schwob's design was based on a small crescent-shaped movement.