Live Auction 2453Important Watches
CARTIER. A RARE AND UNUSUAL GILT METAL AND NEPHRITE EIGHT DAY ART DECO SHIP'S BELL STRIKING CLOCK
Lot 245

CARTIER. A RARE AND UNUSUAL GILT METAL AND NEPHRITE EIGHT DAY ART DECO SHIP'S BELL STRIKING CLOCK

SIGNED CARTIER, FRANCE, MOVEMENT SIGNED CHELSEA CLOCK CO., BOSTON MA., NO. 187131, MOVEMENT PLATE AND BASE PLATE ALSO SIGNED EUROPEAN WATCH AND CLOCK CO., INC, FRANCE, NO. 3643 AND 2017, CIRCA 1929

Closed15 June 2011

Price Realised

USD 37,500

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CARTIER. A RARE AND UNUSUAL GILT METAL AND NEPHRITE EIGHT DAY ART DECO SHIP'S BELL STRIKING CLOCK
SIGNED CARTIER, FRANCE, MOVEMENT SIGNED CHELSEA CLOCK CO., BOSTON MA., NO. 187131, MOVEMENT PLATE AND BASE PLATE ALSO SIGNED EUROPEAN WATCH AND CLOCK CO., INC, FRANCE, NO. 3643 AND 2017, CIRCA 1929
Cal. 12 gilt-finished lever movement, bi-metallic compensation balance, silvered matte dial, nephrite chapter ring, applied Roman numerals, black enamel anchor hands, all set within a circular case, decagonal bezel, black and gilt rope twist motif, set within a circular outer frame resembling a ship's helm, black divisions and ten spokes with nephrite cylindrical ends, all secured to the movement by two screws in the side, all attached to a wooden base for wall mounting, dial signed by retailer, movement signed by maker
wood base 35.5cm, helm dimension 33.0cm

Specialist note

With Chelsea Clock Certificate of Origin confirming production of the present clock and subsequent sale on April 12, 1929 to Cartier.
The present Yachtsman's clock is one of a very limited production. According to our research there has only been one other similar example to come to public auction. Chelsea Clock archives confirms the production and sale to Cartier in 1929.

These unique timepieces follow the maritime tradition of striking bells to signal the mariner's watch. The day is divided in to six watches of four hours each. This allowed crews or teams to be on hand at all times while the ship was under sail. Individual crew members were assigned two watches a day. Through a 24 hour period the watch officer would strike the bell every 30 minutes indicating the time. There are eight bells struck using the following pattern:

1 bell 12:30 4:30 8:30, 2 bells 1:00 5:00 9:00, 3 bells 1:30 5:30 9:30, 4 bells 2:00 6:00 10:00, 5 bells 2:30 6:30 10:30, 6 bells 3:00 7:00 11:00, 7 bells 3:30 7:30 11:30, 8 bells 12:00 4:00 8:00