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38

Cartier

Ref. 78102

Coussin Bamboo “Jumbo”

A very rare, large, and unusually shaped yellow gold rectangular wristwatch

Estimate
$15,000 - 30,000
$177,800
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Cartier
Year
Circa 1978
Reference No
78102
Case No
781'020'244
Model Name
Coussin Bamboo “Jumbo”
Material
18K yellow gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. 78-1, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Cartier deployant buckle
Dimensions
28.5mm width x 36mm length
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Few designs capture the daring spirit of Cartier’s 1970s era as vividly as the Coussin “Bamboo.” With its sculptural, organic lines and boldly textured surfaces, the model draws inspiration from natural forms, reinterpreted through the Maison’s unmistakable lens of Parisian elegance.

The present example is the elusive Jumbo variant—an oversized interpretation of the classic Coussin Bamboo—crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold. The deeply grooved, bark-like bezel and lugs emulate the segmented rhythm of bamboo stalks, creating an arresting interplay of light and shadow. The square-shaped case perfectly balances audacity with refinement, evoking the sensual, free-spirited aesthetic that defined the 1970s Cartier design language.

Its minimalist white dial, marked only by slender baton hands, serves as a quiet counterpoint to the exuberant architecture of the case. Powering the watch is Cartier’s reliable, hand-wound caliber 78-1. The manually wound engine underscores the watch’s period authenticity and its emphasis on discreet, elegant mechanics.

Preserved in beautifully crisp condition with deeply defined gold fluting and a pristine dial, this Jumbo Coussin “Bamboo” offers both rarity and sculptural beauty. Cartier’s shaped watches—especially those from the 1960s and 70s—have gained a cult following among collectors for their unconventional charm, limited production, and uncompromising design. Seldom seen in this oversized format, the present watch is not merely a relic of Cartier’s past, but a wearable piece of design history—bold, whimsical, and enduringly stylish.

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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