Live Auction 14846Rare Watches and American Icons
Cartier. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold and Lead Glass Miniature Rectangular-shaped "Mystery" Desk Clock
Lot 118

Cartier. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold and Lead Glass Miniature Rectangular-shaped "Mystery" Desk Clock

Signed Cartier, European Watch & Clock Co. Inc., France, Case No. 80640, 972, Movement No. 87592, Manufactured in 1938

Closed21 June 2017

Price Realised

USD 18,750

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Cartier. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold and Lead Glass Miniature Rectangular-shaped "Mystery" Desk Clock
Signed Cartier, European Watch & Clock Co. Inc., France, Case No. 80640, 972, Movement No. 87592, Manufactured in 1938
Movement: Manual, Cal. 402,17 jewels
Dial: Arabic and baton numerals, two lead glass prisms
Case: 18k gold rectangular-shaped, secured by four screws, 0.5 inches width and depth, 1 inch height
Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, case further stamped EJ for Edmond Jaeger
Accompanied By: A copy of Cartier's manufacturing records for this clock, and an original Cartier fitted presentation box

Property of a Gentleman

Specialist note

With a winding crown to the base, this miniature "mystery" clock is an example of Cartier's smallest mechanisms that they ever made. It is more common to come across "mystery" clocks which house two glass prisms inside which are larger but this example is delightfully attractive as being a miniature 1 inch tall version. The idea was invented by Gaston Cusin in 1937 and this is possibly one of the very first of its kind to be made, housing a caliber 402 at just 15mm wide.