CARTIER. A UNIQUE, SUPERB AND EXTREMELY FINE PLATINUM, 18K WHITE GOLD, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CHALCEDONY, LAPIS LAZULI AND BLACK MOTHER-OF-PEARL DOUBLE-DIALED MANTEL CLOCK

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THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTORTo create the mystery of the floating hands, materials of the highest quality are used, in particular the central crystals or similarly pure semi-precious stones, which have to be flawless and light to provide perfect transparency. Only the most skilled lapidaries are able to fashion the rock crystal into a six, eight or twelve sided shape, cleave the rock crystal at the heart of the clock into two perfectly matched halves, hollow them out to place two smaller crystal discs with a sawtooth- edge border to which the clock’s hands are attached, thus creating the illusion of floating hands detached from any mechanism, while being powered by a caliber located within the surrounding frame or at the base of the clock. From the early 1920s onwards, the mystery clocks were produced by Cartier until the outbreak of the Second World War when the scarcity of precious metals and gems as well as interruption to commerce led to a halt in production. This intermission subsequently led to a hiatus of 40 years before Cartier decided to recommence production in 1981.The three mystery clocks on offer in the sale all date from the 1980-90s when Cartier re-introduced their mystery clocks to the world. The house of Cartier was determined that the mystery clocks from that period were made following the same procedures which necessitate the perfect sychronization of a team of lapidaries, gem-setters, watchmakers and enamellists which spend between eight to twelve months to produce a single clock. Drawing from the audacious and exotic themes of the mystery clocks of the 1920s and 30s and armed with the knowledge of old craftsmen, these three mystery clocks clearly confirm the continuous creative and technical genius of Cartier and their craftsmen and designers.

CARTIER. A UNIQUE, SUPERB AND EXTREMELY FINE PLATINUM, 18K WHITE GOLD, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CHALCEDONY, LAPIS LAZULI AND BLACK MOTHER-OF-PEARL DOUBLE-DIALED MANTEL CLOCK

SIGNED CARTIER, “RECTO VERSO CLOCK”, NO. 1/1, MOVEMENT NO. 81001S/011, CASE NO. 707’504, CIRCA 1997

Details

CARTIER. A UNIQUE, SUPERB AND EXTREMELY FINE PLATINUM, 18K WHITE GOLD, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD, CHALCEDONY, LAPIS LAZULI AND BLACK MOTHER-OF-PEARL DOUBLE-DIALED MANTEL CLOCK
SIGNED CARTIER, “RECTO VERSO CLOCK”, NO. 1/1, MOVEMENT NO. 81001S/011, CASE NO. 707’504, CIRCA 1997
MOVEMENT: Manual
DIAL: Black mother-of-pearl mosaic, each with diamond and cabochon sapphire-set hands
CASE: 18k white gold, chalcedony and lapis lazuli-set rectangular case, each side with baguette-cut emerald-set bezel, applied Roman numerals and cabochon sapphire-set spacers on the chalcedony chapter ring, to the top of a lobed chalcedony ball, suspended between two white gold and lapis lazuli struts enhanced by baguette-cut emeralds, to a chalcedony and black mother-of-pearl marquetry base, on a lapis lazuli and white gold plinth and bun feet, 140 mm. high
SIGNED: Case and movement signed and numbered
ACCOMPANIED BY: Cartier fitted presentation box and canvas travelling case.

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Lot Essay

Of the three clocks present in the sale, the present double-dialed recto-verso Ecran (Screen) mystery clock best resembles, by its small scale and timeless design, the original masterpiece in diamonds, moonstone and onyx that Cartier Paris created in the 1900s.

Inspired by French fire screens, this unique example in a stunning juxtaposition of lapis lazuli, emeralds and mother-of-pearl was crafted by Cartier to commemorate its 150th anniversary.

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