155
Cartier
Ref. 78096
Cristallor
A rare, large and attractive white gold wristwatch with multi-stepped bezel
Full-Cataloguing
- Exudes 1970s charm due to its form and shape
- Extremely rare in white gold and its large size, especially compared to yellow gold
Exuding charm, the present Cristallor represents what Cartier does best: combining watchmaking with iconic design. In the second half of the 20th century, Cartier created some of the most impressive, creative, and iconic designs of its long history, imagining a multitude of case shapes as a canvas for their horological creations.
Extremely rare in white gold, the Cristallor is large in size and an expression of Cartier's talent for creating form watches, continuing into the 1970s. Research shows that no more than a handful of examples in white gold have appeared on the market, and this version is correct with the "Paris" signed dial.
It is a lesson in restraint and design: while sober and imposing, its sculptural form is extremely elegant thanks to the multi-stepped bezel, which gives the timepiece a great presence on the wrist. While one most associates Cartier with its creations from the 1920s until the 1960s, the 1970s continued this artistic tradition. It was also an extremely creative period for the brand, producing models such as the Cristallor, Bamboo, "Television," and Dakar, to name a few, with these models becoming increasingly recognized and collectible in recent years.
Cartier
FrenchWith 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.