Live Auction 1366Important Watches
Swiss. A very fine, rare and unusual silver, enamel, agate and diamond-set 8-day minute repeating desk clock with fitted box
Lot 307

Swiss. A very fine, rare and unusual silver, enamel, agate and diamond-set 8-day minute repeating desk clock with fitted box

UNSIGNED, CASE NO. 4515, MOVEMENT SIGNED NOCTURNE, CIRCA 1910

Closed11 May 2009

Price Realised

CHF 21,250

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

Swiss. A very fine, rare and unusual silver, enamel, agate and diamond-set 8-day minute repeating desk clock with fitted box
Unsigned, case no. 4515, movement signed Nocturne, circa 1910
Gilt-finished 8-day lever movement, minute repeating on two hammers, white enamel dial, Breguet numerals, diamond-set hands, gold and white enamel bead decorated bezel, rectangular silver case, translucent opal-coloured enamel on engine-turned "écaille" or fish-scale pattern decorated background, white enamel borders, a gold beaded ring to the base, amethyst repeating plunger to the top, on agate base with molded edges, case numbered, movement signed Nocturne and numbered
75 mm. high

Specialist note

With Dreicer & Co. New York leather travelling case and gilt metal key.

The present timepiece is a fine example of a Cartier-style Art Deco "Cube" desk clock, fitted with a movement signed Nocturne, also supplier of movements for Cartier.

The famous jewellery and retailer Dreicer & Co. was located in New York on 560 Fifth Avenue and had also a salon in Chicago's Blackstone Hotel from 1910 to 1923. The firm became celebrated with the setting of jewels with innovative cuts sourced from Paris, such as carré and French-cut diamonds. The quality of Deicer's diamonds, coloured stones, jewellery and other items was so highly regarded that after the company ceased trading, Cartier New York acquired the remaining stock in 1924 for US$2.5 million.