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106Σ

Cartier

Tonneau

A fine and attractive tonneau-shaped white gold and diamond-set wristwatch

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000
€13,800 - 23,000
$15,500 - 25,800
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Cartier
Year
1995
Case No
A113'663 further stamped 9588/23 inside caseback
Model Name
Tonneau
Material
18K white gold and diamonds
Calibre
Manual, cal. 78-1, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Alligator
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Cartier deployant clasp
Dimensions
39mm long, 26mm wide
Signed
Case, dial and movement signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Cartier fitted box and hang tag
Catalogue Essay
There are few names that rival Cartier’s in terms of lavish lifestyle and Parisian chic. Louis Cartier was the first to set the design codes of the wristwatch from the perspective of a jeweller. A pioneer of his time, he believed the beauty of a watch was not just a matter of its decoration, creating icons such as the Tank and Santos in the earliest years of the 20th century. The size, shape and proportions, the look of the metal and the harmony between bracelet and case were just as important. He soon became interested in "shaped watches", those with a case that broke away from the traditional round design. As such, in 1906, the tonneau (or barrel shape) was born. The present lot is infused with the same artistic sensibility as the original model from over 110 years ago. In 18 karat white gold with factory diamond bezel, it’s sized for today’s tastes, and offered in superb, as-new condition.

Cartier

French
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open. 
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