This private collection of 101 Cartier watches span over 80 years of watchmaking and was created over a 30-year period, with each watch having received its rightful place in this collection once in a lifetime. The pre-sale estimate for the entire collection ranges from CHF 3,9 million to CHF 5,7 million, with individual estimates starting at CHF 8.000. The auction will take place on July 1 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.
In the early XNUMXth century, the relationship between Louis Cartier and master watchmaker Maurice Coüet helped solidify Cartier's reputation as the leading manufacturer of bejeweled objects. Coüet was inspired by the magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin – considered by many to be the father of modern conjuring – and incorporated his most technologically advanced mechanisms into his designs, creating works that continue to fascinate and entertain today.
Best known for his mystery pendulums, or “Mystery” clocks, with their mechanisms hidden in the bezel, Coüet has astounded the industry with his use of illusion. In 1973, the Maison acquired one of these wonderful timepieces from the art market, a pioneering move that gave birth to what would come to be known as the Cartier Collection. Today the Collection includes more than 1.600 jewels, watches, clocks and precious objects and offers the world's most famous museums the opportunity to celebrate Cartier creations by presenting them in important exhibitions.
The first planetary clocks were made in 1912, constituting round or angular cases with two superimposed dials. The lower dials would usually be done in light or dark blue enamel and rotate constantly to represent a day or night sky. Sometimes, a diamond crescent moon served as an indicator of the night hours. The other model of that year featured a central disc with a rotating comet within the dial, while the minutes were read by a pointer that swirled along a concentric ring. The auction will offer two such examples lot 11 a semi-mystery clock, circa 1920 (estimate CHF 70.000-100.000 / US$75.000-110.000) and lot 42 a semi-mystery planet clock, circa 1918, maker Maurice Coüet (estimate: CHF 120-000 US$180.000-130.000). Another very nice example states the obvious: “I don't count the hours, unless they are brilliant”, made in 190.000 (estimate: 1913-140.000).
Christie's Spring Auction Week in Geneva will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. The viewing will open on June 27 and will last until June 30, every day from 10.00 to 18.00. The Magnificent Jewels auction will take place on 1 July in three sessions 10.00, 14.00 and 18.00 and the watches will be sold at the beginning of the 14.00 session.
