Cartier. A unique 18K gold and ruby-set octagonal skeletonized wristwatch

The present watch is part of a series of only four such wristwatches made by Cartier by special order in the early 1980s, each set with different precious stones: One sapphire, one diamond, one emerald-set (sold at Christie's Geneva in May 2010) and the present ruby-set example, hence rendering them all unique pieces.

The octagonal-shaped movements were made specially for these four watches, their rarity underlined by the fact that skeletonized timepieces made by Cartier are highly uncommon.

Since the founding of Cartier, the firm has always stood out by virtue of its innovative design, skilled use of precious stones and metals. During the first half of the 20th century, Cartier was the first port of call for special orders and state of the art unique pieces. However, with the modern age during the post war years when even the world's most distinguished maker of jewelled watches had to accept a new market and consequently gradually reduce its production of unique pieces, examples of such lavishness and exclusivity like the present watch have become an ultra rare species. As a consequence, the octagonal fully emerald-set skeletonized wristwatch offered here is not only a spectacular rarity for the discerning collector but also testimony to Cartier's ability to surprise, again and again, with its unique creations.