Desk Clock by Cartier
About the Item
- Creator:Cartier (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Width: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1920
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Cartier Prism Mystery ClockBy CartierLocated in New Orleans, LAThis mystery clock by Cartier, known as a “prism” clock, is a work of exceptional engineering and stylish artistry. Crafted in a sleek Art Deco style with ...Category
20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Quartz
- Cartier Art Deco Table ClockBy CartierLocated in New Orleans, LAThis Art Deco period table clock by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class of its own. Crafted of black lacquer, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating this hig...Category
20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsSilver, Brass
- Onyx and Enamel Desk Clock by J.E. CaldwellLocated in New Orleans, LAThe Art Deco style is beautifully executed in this enchanting desk clock by J.E. Caldwell. The gilded dial, beautifully enameled in midnight blue and celadon green, sports four perfect apples in relief at its corners, and is framed by a luxurious plaque of amber-hued onyx. Venerable American jeweler J. E. Caldwell & Co. from Philadelphia is known for its Art Nouveau and Deco jewels. One of the oldest fine jewelers in the United States, the company was founded in 1839 by James Emmott Caldwell and supplied wealthy Philadelphians with stylish European jewelry, silver, and objets d'art. The store itself was a study in opulence, with hand-cut Baccarat chandeliers and French Regency-style oak cabinetry designed by Horace Trumbauer...Category
20th Century American Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsOnyx, Enamel
- Joe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk ClockLocated in New Orleans, LAFrom the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...Category
20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- English Porphyry Clock by EllicottBy John Ellicott IILocated in New Orleans, LAA case of exquisite porphyry and doré bronze houses the verge movement of this rare clock by eminent English clock and watch maker John Ellicott. Ellicott's...Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Mantel Clocks
MaterialsPorphyry, Bronze
- Orrery Clock By Raingo À ParisBy Zacharie RaingoLocated in New Orleans, LAAn incredible rarity of horological and astronomical significance, this stunning planetary clock was crafted by the renowned Parisian clockmaker Zacharie-Nicholas-Amé-Joseph Raingo. Raingo is celebrated as being the most important creator of orrery clocks...Category
Antique 19th Century French Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsSilver, Brass, Bronze, Steel
- Cartier ClockBy CartierLocated in Long Beach, CAFACTORY / HOUSE: European Clock & Watch Co. / Cartier STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco Chiming Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Gilt Brass and Bronze with B...Category
Vintage 1930s Swiss Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- A Group of Tiffany and Cartier Desk Clocks 20th Century. Priced per clock.By CartierLocated in Buchanan, MIA Group of Tiffany and Cartier Desk Clocks 20th Century Priced per clock comprising six Tiffany desk clocks and one Cartier desk clock. Largest clock 4 x 4 inches.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- Art Deco 'cubist' Travel Clock by CartierBy CartierLocated in Norwich, GBC A R T I E R Art Deco ‘cubist’ travel clock in a gilded case resting on black block feet with black and red geometric line decoration. Painted dial with Arabic numerals signed ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- Cartier Santos Alarm ClockBy CartierLocated in Amersham, GBA Cartier Alarm desk clock in the form of the iconic Santos de Cartier watch. With a gold bezel, brushed steel case and black enamel detail. The gold pla...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Travel Alarm Clock by CartierBy Henri Cartier-BressonLocated in Norwich, GBCartier Travel Clock Rectangular strut frame in a brushed steel frame with Lapis Lazuli inserts, brass bezel outlining a painted dial with Roman ...Category
Vintage 1970s French Carriage Clocks and Travel Clocks
MaterialsSteel
- Cartier Paris London 1905 Belle Epoque Enamel Desk Clock 18kt Gold & PlatinumBy CartierLocated in Miami, FLBelle epoque desk clock designed by Cartier. An impressive and magnificent "mignonette" desk clock, created in Paris France by the house of Cartier, during the Edwardian Belle Epoque period, back in the 1905. This stunning piece is very rare and has been designed with neoclassic French patterns and carefully crafted with parts made up in yellow gold of 18 karats, silver and platinum. It is mounted with four spherical parts, carved from green chrysoprase. The five sides are embellished with applications of vivid purple enamel over a sunburst and linear guilloche ground and the borders are accented with a linear frame of white champleve enamel. Fitted in the reverse with a sistem to open and close the three winding parts to manipulate. Movement: Mechanical 8 days, key winding and It is accompanied with the associated original key. Dial: White ceramic with gold batons for the seconds, with Arabic black numerals and gold hands, inscribed, Cartier Paris-London. Diamonds: The platinum part on top is mount, with 60 calibrated Old European rose cuts diamonds, 0.30 carats, F color, VS-1 clarity Chrysoprase: Mounted with screws on the base, with 4 four spherical cabochon cuts carved from natural translucent green chrysoprase with a weight of 8 carats. Weight: 272.8 Grams, (174.87 Dwt). Measurements: 47 mm by 40 mm by 70 mm (1.85 x 1.57 x 2.75 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with French marks, the mark for the silver and gold assay and warranty, the maker's mark for Eugène Bako inside a lozange cartouche, the case numbers, the Cartier serial numbers and signed at the bottom, "CARTIER 2027 LONDON PARIS 11290 S". Literature: Olivier Bachet & Alain Cartier, Cartier Exceptional objects, Palais Royal 2021, Volume 1, Pp-117 and 128, for two similars Illustrated, see figures. Comparative Literature: Hans Nadelhoffer, Cartier, Jewelers Extraordinary, London, 1984, pl.18 Barracca, Negretti & Nencini, Le Temps de Cartier, Milan, 1989, p.34 A Cartier carriage clock of very closely related design was sold Antiquorum Geneva, The Magical Art of Cartier, 19 November 1996, lot 36 (illustrated in its travel case in Nadelhoffer). The dial design may be compared with other Cartier desk clocks of this period illustrated in Barracca et al. Publications: Published in the Vogue Art...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsPlatinum, Silver, Enamel, Gold
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.