Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

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

LOT 423

Cartier, Paris, circa 1970. Very fine, unusual and unique, 18K yellow gold prototype wristwatch mounted in an ogival case laying on an ovoid curved gold base.

USD 20,000 - 24,000

Sold: USD 25,300

C. massive, polished, sapphire-set winding-crown. D. satined silver with applied gold indexes. "Baton" gold hands. M. signed Blancpain, gilt brass, 17 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance, antishock system, self compensating flat balance-spring. Signed Cartier Paris on the case, bearing the English assay and hallmarks. Signed Blancpain on the dial and the movement. Dim. 30 x 44 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

Sold by order of the former owner of Cartier Paris, this watch was part of a collection produced by Cartier during the period between the early 1960's and 1972. This watch, which was never put into production and remained as a prototype, can be adapted to the wearer's correct angle of vision; to do this, a watchmaker needs to remove the bezel and the movement and then replace both in the desired position. This watch demonstrates the revolutionary and innovative nature of the attempts made by Cartier in the 1960's to introduce a new style in jewelry and watches. More than 25 years later, such a design appears as daring today as did the design of the celebrated driver's watches, which were introduced by Cartier in the 1920's.