Cartier, Paris
Fabergé, Reference 78101 | A yellow gold wristwatch made for the Kuwait Military Armed Forces | Circa 1971
Lot Closed
May 14, 11:42 AM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 24,000 CHF
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: white, Kuwait Military Armed Forces crest
Calibre: cal. 78 manual winding, 17 jewels
Case: 18k yellow gold, case back secured by 4 screws
Case number: 781'011'041
Closure: gilt metal unsigned Cartier style buckle
Size: 25.8 x 32.5 mm (width x length)
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: contract of sale from the family of the original owner and associated pouch
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Private Collection
Family of the Original Owner
Produced during the early 1970s, Cartier’s “Fabergé” model, reference 78101, reflects the Maison’s timeless sense of style and discreet elegance. The present example is distinguished not only by its rarity but by its extraordinary provenance and rare dial customization.
Gifted in 1971 by the Prince of Kuwait to a general in the national army, this watch carries significant historical and personal value. Most notably, the dial is customized with the official crest of the Kuwait Military Armed Forces prominently displayed at 12 o’clock, an exceptional and meaningful detail that marks this piece as a rare timepiece. The watch was formerly gifted to the famous Tunisian poet Abou Al Kassem Chebbi by the Sheikh of Kuwait. Abou Al Kassem Chebbi is maybe best known for writting the last two verses of the Tunisian National anthem.
The yellow gold case, combined with the clean, minimalist aesthetic of the dial, highlights Cartier’s mastery of proportion and refinement. Presented in excellent overall condition, this timepiece offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a historically important Cartier watch linked to the diplomatic and military history of Kuwait.