Christie’s Geneva will soon be enjoying the privilege of displaying and auctioning a world renowned collection of 101 Cartier clocks. Spread across 80 years of production, the clocks represent some of Cartier’s most impressive horological marvels. The collection, which is estimated to fetch between 3.9 million to 5.7 million CHF, was assembled by a passionate collector over the course of three decades. Auction estimates for each lot range from 8,000 to over 100,000 CHF.
Although founded in 1847, it was not until the start of the 20th century that Louis Cartier and master clock-maker Maurice Coüet cultivated their acclaimed relationship. With inspiration from magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, Coüet developed a passion for incorporating the most technologically advanced mechanisms into the brand’s celebrated creations. One such example of this passion are Cartier’s mystery clocks like the 1912 planet clocks, these horological masterpieces were defined by their round or angular cases and dual superimposed dials. Gold, diamond covered indicators, and light as well as dark blue rotating enamel lower dials to represent a day or night sky, were hallmarks of the mystery clock design language.
Excitingly, the auction will include two mystery clocks, ‘lot 11 a semi-mystery clock, circa 1920 (estimate CHF70,000-100,000/US$75,000-110,000) and lot 42 a planet semi-mystery clock, circa 1918, maker Maurice Coüet (estimate: CHF120,000-180,000 US$130,000-190,000).’ Those in the horological world often regard the mystery clock or pendules mystérieuses as one of Coüet’s crowning achievements. The clock’s mechanisms, which were hidden in the case’s frame, where an innovative move that ‘astonished the industry.’
The collection will be on display during Christie’s Geneva Spring Auction Week at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues from June 27th to June 30th, daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm. The auction will be held on July 1st at the beginning of the 2.00pm session.
Image credit: Christie’s
