Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Hong Kong, Hotel Furama Kempinski, Jun 09, 1997

LOT 38

Cartier, Paris, circa 1910. Very elegant platinum, sapphire-set early "guillotine" keyless dress watch "a volets "

HKD 100,000 - 125,000

USD 13,000 - 16,000

C. Three piece, massive, satine with sapphire-set band and bow, the cover with a small glazed dial aperture disclosed by polished platinum shutters, flipping open or closed by depressing a button on the winding crown. D. Matted silver with Roman numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 16"' , rhodium plated, "fausses cotes " decoration, 18, jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, eight adjustments, Breguet balance spring. Signed on the dial, case and movement. In very good condition, accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity. Diam. 45 mm.


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Notes

According to the archives of Cartier, platinum was used as early as in 1853, but a suitable alloy which permitted the setting of diamonds was not found until the very first years of the 20th century. The successful introduction by Cartier of this precious metal, alr eady known in ancient Egypt, to replace the oxydising silver, meant a great aesthetic revolution in jewellery. However, before 1912, platinum was not officially distinguished from gold in France; no guaranty hallmark was yet established, therefore platinum pieces of that time bear the 18K gold mark, the head of an eagle. Only from December 5, 1912, were platinum pieces marked as such, and as they still are today, with the head of a clog.