





161
Cartier
Cintrée
A rare and attractive yellow gold curved wristwatch with Roman numerals
Full-Cataloguing
Interestingly, it is most probable that the timepiece was sold in London, as seen by the English hallmarks on the case, and was fitted with a "Paris" dial at the same time. It was in 1972 that the Cartier family sold the firm, and it is highly possible that the manufacture used up existing watch parts during the 1970s as they were finishing up their existing stock.
Most interestingly, both the case and the clasp have Cartier hand stamped numbers "1977" showing how the case and clasp were delivered together. In addition, both the case and clasp are stamped with the letter B, indicating London hallmarks that date to 1976. The watch itself is preserved in excellent condition, with crisp hallmarks and engravings throughout. The dial exhibits a beautiful eggshell dial that has turned warm and ivory throughout time.
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.