.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 370
Cartier. An extremely fine and rare 18K white gold and sapphire-set automatic wristwatch with one minute tourbillon, power reserve and bracelet
SIGNED CARTIER, AUTOMATIC, DIABOLO MODEL, CASE NOS. T 1102 AND 676'948, CIRCA 1990
Closed17 November 2008
Price Realised
CHF 135,000
More Information
Specialist note
Most certainly part of an exceedingly small series of such fully sapphire-set watches possibly made to special order, the present watch impresses with a total of approximately 385 sapphires weighing between 50 and 60 carats.
The setting of the sapphires is following Van Cleef & Arpels "invisibly set" technique, invented in Paris in the late 1920s. An icon of the Art Deco period, this style is enjoying enormous popularity still today. It originated from the desire of showing only the precious stones while hiding the mountings. By carving a groove in the side of the gem's pavilion and sliding it along rails of precious metal, setting gemstone next to gemstone, the metal is masked and the appearance of a ribbon of precious stones is given.
The furthermore like new condition combined with a highly sophisticated, automatic tourbillon movement render this watch extremely appealing for the connoisseur of such fine timepieces.
The setting of the sapphires is following Van Cleef & Arpels "invisibly set" technique, invented in Paris in the late 1920s. An icon of the Art Deco period, this style is enjoying enormous popularity still today. It originated from the desire of showing only the precious stones while hiding the mountings. By carving a groove in the side of the gem's pavilion and sliding it along rails of precious metal, setting gemstone next to gemstone, the metal is masked and the appearance of a ribbon of precious stones is given.
The furthermore like new condition combined with a highly sophisticated, automatic tourbillon movement render this watch extremely appealing for the connoisseur of such fine timepieces.