Enamel and diamond miniature desk timepiece, Cartier, circa 1915

The circular dial applied with black Arabic numerals and millegrain-set rose diamond hands, to a rectangular purple guilloché enamel case and a carved chalcedony base, measurements approximately 60 x 45 x 40mm, dial signed Cartier, with winding key.

Formerly in the collection of Vadim Makaroff, thence by family decent.

Please note we do not guarantee timepiece movements. Mechanical movement in running condition at time of cataloguing. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its time keeping and therefore a service should be carried out in the near future at the buyer's expense. Dial signed Cartier. Some losses to enamel to reverse where movement has been wound. Small chip to agate base to reverse. Diamonds bright and lively. In good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. 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 refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones.
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."

Vadim S. Makaroff, engineer, inventor and financier was the son of the famous Russian Admiral S.O. Makaroff. A graduate of The Imperial Russian Naval Academy in St Petersburg, he started his career as an officer of the Czar’s navy. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 he served as the commander of naval operations against the Red Forces. After immigrating to the United States he was married to Josephine Hartford, daughter of Edward Hartford, vice president of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and subsequently was remarried to Elizabeth Harding.

In 1933 he commissioned a ketch-rigged ocean racing yacht the USS Vamarie, designed by Jasper Morgan of Cox & Stevens Inc. and built at Bremen, Germany by Abeking and Rasmussen. At the helm, Makaroff took part in nine ocean races between 1934 and 1936, sailing over 30,000 miles. In 1936 the USS Vamarie was donated to the Regiment of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, where she served as the Navy’s racing yacht in local races in Chesapeake Bay during the racing season of 1937. In 1939 she was entered in the race from Newport to Bermuda where she came in 18th out of 22 vessels in her class and 29th out of the 44 total entries. She participated in further local races in 1939 and was officially assigned to the Naval Academy on the 22nd October 1940 and was placed in service on the 10th November 1944. She was finally struck from the navy in 1955 and broken up in December of the same year.