Cartier

• jeweled eight-day nickel lever movement • central sector with translucent blue enamel over guilloché, completing a full rotatation every 24 hours and enhanced by a diamond-set sun and moon to indicate night and day, the center with raised enameled sector bordered by Latin motto 'Horas Non Noto Nisi Lucidas', the lower portion with striated opaque powder blue enamel centered by a diamond-set monogram • gold bezel overlaid with white enamel, indicating time with Roman numerals 6 through 6 for am/pm hours, the lower portion with foliate swags, all encircled by rose-cut diamonds • agate case, diamond-set wandering minute hand traveling the outer gold chapter ring set with blue enamel and Arabic numerals spaced by florets, hinged strut • case signed and hand-stamped with Cartier reference numbers

A fantastic piece. The movement is running at the time of cataloguing and for several days, however it may require service soon. It stamped with an M and the underdial is numbered 106755. The case is in very good condition with no visible chips to the agate or losses to the enamel. The case back is plated gilt metal. The back is numbered 4287.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

The present lot is a variation on the famous Comet clocks by Cartier, considered by many to be the first of the firm's Mystery clocks. Both genres are attributed to Maurice Coüet, the firm's brilliant and inventive master horologist.

The Cartier collection includes two remarkably similar pieces, illustrated on pages 151 and 153 in the Timepieces volume (Flammarion, 2006). The first, with an alternate layout, features a Latin motto much like that in the present example: 'Horas Non Numero Nisi Serenas'. This piece was recorded as purchased by the Marquise Casati. Translating to 'I only mark the happy hours', the sentiment is similar to that in the present piece, which would translate to 'I only remember the light hours'. With a diamond-set moon or sun ushering in the evening and daytime hours, though, neither day nor night could be anything short of memorable.

The second example features the same layout as the present lot, but cased in rock crystal. The text notes that the aesthetic of the timepiece is in keeping with the Cartier jewelry of the period, which emphasized Islamic and Moorish motifs.

The same example, noted to be the earliest of its type belonging to the Cartier collection, was part of the 2009 Cartier and American exhibition and is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Chapman, M., p. 161, no. 41. A piece that quite similar is illustrated in Barracca, J., Negretti, G. & Nencini, F., Le Temps de Cartier, p. 62. Also see Nadelhoffer, Cartier: Jewelers Extraordinary, p. 247, Nadelhoffer, Reflections of Elegance, pp. 160-1, and Rudoe, J., L'Art de Cartier, Musée de Petit Palais catalogue, pp. 68-9.