Christie’s Geneva will auction off 101 unique Cartier clocks

I love table clocks, especially those who are made by French Maisons, like Cartier. Horology and art deco enthusiasts will be delighted to learn that Christie’s Geneva will be hosting an auction for 101 rare clocks from French Maison Cartier this summer. I wish I was rich, and not so pretty…..

Long before it created the Santos wristwatch in 1904 and became the jeweler of choice for the Duchess of Windsor, Nina Dyer, and many celebs, Cartier carved out a reputation as a master of decorative desk clocks. Christie’s upcoming sale of 101 Cartier clocks demonstrates the French Maison’s considerable skills in the arts of enameling, engraving, gem setting and marquetry—all on a canvas much larger than the watch dial.

 

Cartier Art Deco Onyx Enamel and Ruby Mignonettte Clock

 

Cartier Art Deco Enamel and Gold Altar Clock 

The collection highlights the French brand’s innovative and painstakingly intricate approach to clockmaking, featuring an immense amount of timekeepers designed in all fashions imaginable. Some of its most complex pieces – known as ‘mystery’ clocks, which carry hands that are suspended in a transparent rock crystal pane seemingly disconnected to any mechanism – also form part of the auction.

Other notable lots include a carved onyx model with a mother of pearl dial and diamond accents from 1925, an Oriental enamel clock intricately decorated through a technique called laque burgauté where insets of polished blue-green abalone shells are made, as well as an early 20th century deep blue opaline glass, silver and enamel urn clock.

 

Cartier Art Deco, Mother-Of-Pearl, Onyx, Jade, And Enamel Desk Clock

 

Cartier Art Deco Rock Crystal, Enamel and Diamond Clock

 

Cartier Art Deco Mother-of-Pearl, Enamel, Turquoise, Moonstone and Diamond Clock by Maurice Coüet

 

Cartier Belle Epoque Enamel, Agate, Moonstone and Diamond Minute Repeater Clock by Maurice Coüet

The auction itself will take place at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues on July 1, with viewings available from June 27 through to 30. For more information or to view the full collection, visit the official Christie’s website here.

Come into the beautiful woorld of Cartier.

 

 

 

Art Deco Desk Clock by Cartier

The Cartier tradition of clock and watch making extends almost as far back as the founding of the company. In 1898, Louis Cartier, one of the three Cartier brothers and grandson of founder Louis-François, moved to 13 rue de La Paix with his father, Alfred. Louis was a talented creator of jewels and art objects, and confirmed his talent by tying his craft with clock making traditions, lost now for more than a century.

Thereafter, Cartier’s clocks, table clocks, and watches were manufactured with an emphasis on perfection, beauty and originality. Clock making, at first a secondary activity, became the predominant activity and prestige of Cartier.

This elegant Art Deco-period desk clock by Cartier features a soft blue guilloché enamel and gold frame. With Roman numerals marking the hours, the dial’s radiant guilloché pattern is well-complemented by hands studded with fine white diamonds. An outstanding example of 1920s design, this remarkable timepiece comes with its original red leather case, excellent condition.

H 6.35 cm x W 6.35 cm x D 2.54 cm

 

 

 

 

Cartier Magnetic Art Deco High Jewelry clock

 

 

 

Cartier is a passionate observer of beauty throughout the world, always hunting for rare, unique stones. Now it has created a new collection of High Jewelry: the Cartier Royal Collection. Royal… for the quality of the gems, the inspiration of the design and the perfection of the result. It is an eclectic collection sparkling with High Jewelry creations and unique objects that represent a combination of rigor, curiosity and passion….

 

 

 

Magnetic Art Deco style clock, made of yellow and pink gold marquetry, yellow gold bezel, white gold float, one 7.32-carat cabochon-cut crystal opal, rock crystal, coral, onyx, emeralds, mother-of-pearl marquetry, brilliant-cut diamonds. This clock as an eight-day going manual mechanical movement. The work on this piece is still ongoing.

 

 

 

Precious: Yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, opal, rock crystal, coral, onyx, emeralds, mother-of-pearl and diamonds.