Important Watches

Cartier, Paris An onyx, yellow gold and enamel 8-day desk clock, Circa 1919 Dial: silvered, engine-turned sunburst pattern radiating downward from 12 o’clock, plain chapter ring with black radial Roman numerals, filet sauté bordered minute track, gilded and diamond-set serpentine ring hands with arrow-form tips, plain rectangular panel signed Cartier, hour and minute hands numbered 1116 to their reverse Calibre: 19½’’’ frosted gilded 8-day duration movement, lever escapement, bi-metallic compensation balance with timing and poising screws, blued steel Breguet hairspring Movement number: numbered beneath dial 179'617, 22 Case: Square onyx case with rounded corners, two apertures to back with gilded mounts for winding and hand-setting, gilded decorative carrying handle with enamel inlay to front punctuated by repeated gilded dot motif, black enamel banded inlays to back of supports, gilt-brass and white enamel bezel with continuous stylised laurel leaf motif in relief Case number: inside case back and underside of bezel hand stamped 1'116, 2'10 2 Size: 60 mm length x 26 mm width x 60 mm height Accessories: Cartier presentation box, unsigned winding key and travelling pouch Cartier’s transition from enamel-dominated designs to hardstone cases in the early 20th century marked a pivotal shift in the Maison’s approach to luxury timepieces and objets d’art. While the earliest Cartier desk and table clocks often featured richly coloured guilloché enamel – drawing inspiration from Fabergé and the delicate refinement of the Belle Époque – the emergence of Art Deco aesthetics ushered in a new era of bold materials, striking contrasts, and a more architectural design language. Hardstones such as agate, jade, nephrite, onyx, and rock crystal became increasingly central to the evolution of Cartier’s modern style. Nonetheless, the classical elegance of the Louis XVI style remained a strong undercurrent in many of Cartier’s creations during the late 1910s and early 1920s. This is expressed in the clock shown here, with its enamelled bezel and elaborate, diamond-set, interlocking arrow-tipped serpentine hands. When highly polished and used as a primary case material, onyx offered a smooth, lustrous surface that created a dramatic contrast against gold mounts and decorative elements. In this example, the case’s softened, canted corners introduce a subtle architectural interest, enhancing the balance between classical refinement and modern form.

View 1 of Lot 2105: An onyx, yellow gold and enamel 8-day desk clock, Circa 1919

an onyx, yellow gold and enamel 8-day desk clock, circa 1919

Précieuses reliures d’une bibliophile — Collection Georgette J. Salles 

Duclos, Charles Acajou et Zirphile. Paris, Imprimerie Didot l’Aîné, 1780. Petit in-16 (132 x 80 mm). Maroquin bleu nuit, filets dorés et roulette dorée aux pampres en encadrement, plats ornés d’un large décor vermiculé doré, dos lisse orné de fers floraux dorés, roulette intérieure, doublure et gardes de soie rouge (Rel. P. Bozerian). Ravissante reliure de Bozerian. Des bibliothèques Beraldi et Michaud. Jolie édition imprimée par François-Ambroise Didot. C’est en 1780 que le comte d’Artois, jeune frère de Louis XVI et futur Charles X, commande à François-Ambroise Didot (1730-1804), dit Didot l’Aîné, une "collection d’ouvrages français, en vers et en prose, imprimés par ordre du comte d’Artois". Exemplaire très élégamment relié par Jean-Claude Bozerian (1762-1840), dit Bozerian l’Aîné. Après avoir fait son apprentissage à Lyon, Bozerian s’installe à Paris peu avant 1790. Relieur de talent, il est principalement connu pour ses reliures à bordures. L'exemplaire a appartenu à Henri Beraldi puis à Léon Michaud (1875-1959), libraire et éditeur à Reims, qui fut président de la chambre syndicale des libraires de France.

View 1 of Lot 56: Acajou et Zirphile. Paris, Didot, 1780. Ravissante reliure en maroquin vermiculé de Bozerian. Des bibliothèques Henri Beraldi et Léon Michaud.

acajou et zirphile. paris, didot, 1780. ravissante reliure en maroquin vermiculé de bozerian. des bibliothèques henri beraldi et léon michaud.

PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT COLLECTOR Breguet Marine Chronographe, Reference 5527 A titanium chronograph bracelet watch with date, Circa 2022 Dial: blue Calibre: cal. 582QA automatic, 28 jewels Case: titanium, sapphire crystal display back secured by 7 screws Case number: 2969CN Closure: titanium Breguet bracelet and double folding clasp Size: 43 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 200 mm Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Breguet Certificate of Origin and Warranty, instruction manual and presentation box Breguet is one of the most historically important watchmakers in the world. Indeed, Abraham-Louis Breguet and his brand served as the official watch and clockmakers to several French monarchs, and was appointed as the watchmaker to the French Royal Navy by King Louis XVIII. The Marine model line, with maritime-themed details such as the robust design and sunburst blue dial, pays homage to this historic role.

View 1 of Lot 2192: Marine Chronographe, Reference 5527 | A titanium chronograph bracelet watch with date, Circa 2022

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