380,250 CHF
“Mystery A” Cartier, Paris, No. 2345. Made circa 1925. Exceptional “Pendule Mystérieuse Modèle A”, 18K gold, platinum, black onyx, rock crystal and rose diamond-set eight day going Mystery clock. Accompanied a leather covered fitted travelling box and the original numbered key. Rectangular rock crystal case with molded tapered pediment, yellow gold mounted on a molded rectangular black onyx base. Mother of pearl with gold skeletonized Roman chapter ring, rose-cut diamond-set inner minute ring, placed within a rectangular frame decorated en suite. Rose-cut diamond-set platinum hands, the reverse of the frame decorated en suite with the dial. European Watch & Clock Co. Inc., France, rectangular brass frosted and gilt movement with large going barrel, 13 jewels, gilt platform with straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with three adjustments, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dim. 90 x 140 x 50 mm. Notes Mystery Clocks The “Pendules Mystérieuses”, or Mystery Clocks, were Cartier's masterpieces, the result of the collaboration of Louis Cartier, his principal creative advisors, and the technical skill of Maurice Couët. These clocks were developed after a careful study of those created by Robert-Houdin, the French magician and clockmaker (1805-1871). Couët was 28 years old when he brought his “mysterious” clock creation to Cartier. The fascination of Couët's invention is based on the principal of an optical illusion. Couët's
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-10-16
