ART DECO ENAMEL AND GOLD 'ALTAR' DESK CLOCK, CARTIERImportant information about this lot
Price Realised CHF 18,750
Estimate
CHF 15,000 - CHF 20,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Closed: 21 Jul 2020
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ART DECO ENAMEL AND GOLD 'ALTAR' DESK CLOCK, CARTIER
ALTAR DESK CLOCKS Purse watches such as lots 35 and 41 could be placed on a table or desk once their pivoting support was opened out. The simple but clever system meant that the time could be read when the dial shutters were open or closed. In August 1925, the inventor J. Vergely filed for a patent for this model. Extract from Cartier Exceptional Objects by O. Bachet & A. Cartier
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You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
- Overall condition good. Some scratches throughout. Pushpiece to open the secure lids. Gross weight: 80 gr. - O.Bachet & A. Cartier, 2020, expertise no. BC2003-54: Art Deco miniature 'triptyque' clock with folding dial, Cartier Paris for New York stock, circa 1930. Particularity: these miniature timepieces were called 'triptyque'. This version has two dials, an exterior one with Arabic numerals and an interior one with Roman nunmerals. The square aperture permits the time to be read when the shutters are open or closed. The hands are doubled so that the time can be read normally from the exterior. The miniature aspect was emphasized with the pivoting strut contained in the base which permitted them to stand upright. Pressing the winder releases the doors to see the interior dial. The mention 'Breveté' on the dial means the model was patented, in this case by Joseph Vergely in August 1925. Vergely worked for Cartier. A Cartier New York catalogue 'Book of Gifts' from 1929 describes them as 'desk or boudoir clocks', which is erroneous, retailing for $390. - Dial signed Cartier France, base signed Made in France, maker's mark for Viel-Robin & Co., nos. 9300, 1939 and 92. Maker's mark for Viel-Robin. - Movement signed Swiss Majestic W & Co., no. 9300. - Movement 15 jewels. - The dial in good condition, with some scratches. - The blue enamel in good condition. - The white enamel in good condition, a few black spots. - Movement ticking at time of cataloguing, working order and timekeeping cannot be guaranteed at time of purchase. - Please see Important Notice at the back of the catalogue for all clocks and watches.
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Lot 41Sale 19662
ART DECO ENAMEL AND GOLD 'ALTAR' DESK CLOCK, CARTIEREstimate: CHF 15,000 - 20,000
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