Live Auction 1383Important Watches
French. A very fine and attractive platinum and multi gem-set Art Deco keyless lapel watch
Lot 258

French. A very fine and attractive platinum and multi gem-set Art Deco keyless lapel watch

UNSIGNED, NO. 91'836, CIRCA 1920

Closed14 November 2011

Price Realised

CHF 28,750

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French. A very fine and attractive platinum and multi gem-set Art Deco keyless lapel watch
Unsigned, no. 91'836, circa 1920
Oval-shaped nickel-finished jewelled lever movement, silvered matte dial, Arabic numerals, rectangular-shaped case set with a carved emerald depicting a bird, diamond-set and black enamel border, black onyx, carved emerald, ruby and diamond-set branch, openwork diamond, black onyx, emerald and carved ruby foliate brooch, unsigned, case with hand-stamped number 91'836
18 mm. wide & 84 mm. overall length

Specialist note

The sumptuous decoration on the present lapel watch is in the so-called "Tutti Frutti" style, one of the main specialities of Cartier, created by the houses artistic director Jeanne Toussaint in the 1920s. These jewels are European variations of the Hindu "Tree of Life". A profusion of carved rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds as from a Maharaja's chest form the interlaced multi-coloured branches covered with flowers, fruits and birds.