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 Gold Table Clock

Cartier Art Deco Yellow Gold Table Clock (Click photo to enlarge).

I lòve watches, and I lòve clocks… those litte tiny French desk or table clocks. Regular visitors of Yakymour see them sometimes as background decoration in different posts. This Cartier Art Deco clock is made of 18k solid yellow gold, with a luminous dial for reading any time. The hands look to have been retouched, but the package includes the original fitted leather presentation box or foudral. The 5 day movement inside was made by Lemania, who was making mechanical movements for a lot of top watchmakers at the time.

by Jean Amr

Amazing: Cartier, Art Deco Rock Crystal, Platinum, White Enamel and Diamond Table Clock

People who know me, know that I have a (total) weakness for desk or table clocks! Especially those from the French jewelery houses like Boucheron, Chaumet, Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and…of cours: Cartier. Two years ago from now, there was one very nice example for aution then. A Cartier, France, Art Deco rock crystal, white enamel platinum and diamond table clock from circa 1920.

Cartier, France, Art Deco table clock, circa 1920

This Cartier Art Deco pendulette is made of rock crystal and platinum. The milestone-shaped rock crystal clock centering a circular silver-tone engine-turned dial, with black Roman numerals and railroad minute track, with delicate platinum rose-cut diamond-set hands, encircled by a white enamel and gold bezel, accented by two diamond-set platinum florets. The dial signed Cartier, France (case no. 01041). The round 8-day movement is signed  ‘Made by Couet’, With signed fitted box.

3 1/4 x 2 11/16 x 5/16 inches.

It was estimate for $8,000-12,000 but it despite the original rock crystal easel was replaced with plexiglass, and the clock was not running, it was sold for $28,125 (includes Buyer’s Premium)! No, it’s not in my collection. It was far above my budget. But ohh so mouth watering beautiful….

 

 

 

 

The Begum by Charles Kiffer (1902 – 1992)

Charles Kiffer grew up in an artistic environment. His father had as a tailor, many famous artists as customer. His mother was a piano teacher. As a child he made drawings and caricatures of the friends and acquaintances of his parents. In 1918, Kiffer admitted to the École Supérieure des Beaux Artes, where he focused on painting. A drawing he made of Maurice Chevalier went so well, that he was commissioned to create posters for his shows. Kiffer was apart from painter and designer of posters also an accomplished graphic artist. From 1929 he produced his own lithographs.

Begum Andrée Joséphine Carron Aga Khan by Charles Kiffer, Cartier Art Deco pendulettes (from privat collection), flowers from Bloom Flower Studio

Maurice Chevalier continued to remain faithful to him, and gave him his ’till the 1960’s commands for posters. Also many other greats knew where to find Kiffer, Brigit Bardot, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, George Guétary, Charles Trenet, Josephine Baker, Andrée Joséphine Carron Aga Khan, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, Gilbert Bécaud and Marcel Marceau – There was almost no French celebrity who does not accept to be immortalized by Charles Kiffer, during his long life. Charles Kiffer died on 20 January 1992 in Paris.