Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

New York, Omni Berkshire Place Hotel, Jun 20, 1998

LOT 407

Cartier, New York, made in 1924. Extremely fine and rare, 18K yellow gold driver's wristwatch with single button chronograph on the crown and register.

USD 150,000 - 180,000

C. massive, polished, gold screwed bars, dedicated back which reads: "TO JOHNNY FROM AL JOLSON". D. matt silver with radiumed Arabic numerals + auxiliary seconds and 30 minutes register dials. "Skeleton" radiumed hands. M. 13 "' signed European Watch & Clock Co., rhodium plated, 17 jewels, lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, 3 adjustments, Breguet balance-spring, the coaxial single button on the winding-crown is for start-stop and return to zero functions of the chronograph. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 32 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 15-35

Slightly rusted

To be restored
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 5-51

Poor

Partially reprinted

Notes

This extremely rare driver's chronograph wristwatch was produced in 1923, delivered to Cartier, New York, in 1924, and sold to Al Jolson, the great American stage and film performer. It is a good example to demonst r ate the revolutionary and innovative nature of the attempts made by Cartier in the 1920's to introduce a new style of watches, specially designed for the early owners of sport automobiles. According to the archives of the European Watch & Clock Co., chronograph wristwatches were produced from 1923: 1923 February 2 examples one in platinum, one in yellow gold April 5 examples in yellow gold (driver's type) December 6 examples in yellow gold 1924 August 6 examples in yellow gold 1926 September6 examples in yellow gold Later, chronograph wristwatches were produced in much larger quantities, as they were in great demand.