Cartier - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Catalogue Essay

    Making its important debut in 1936, the Cartier Asymétrique was born amidst some of the most exciting times of watchmaking, especially for Cartier. During the innovative period where the firm was experimenting with creative case designs, the Asymétrique is definitely one that stood out amongst them all. Featuring a distorted rectangular-shaped case, more specifically parallelogram-shaped, the dial design is something unique to the specific model where the layout is also asymmetric.

    In 1996, before the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) was established, a limited run of 300 pieces in yellow gold and 100 in platinum was released with the same alternating Arabic numerals and baton indexes as the original 1936 model. In 2006, under the CPCP collection, an updated Asymétrique was released with 150 pieces in yellow gold, featuring updated lugs and a guilloche dial with applied black Roman numerals.

    Elegant, rare and highly desirable, the present example was released in April 2020 during the online-only format of Watches & Wonders. Receiving much fanfare, the Asymétrique was offered in platinum, 18 karat pink gold, and 18 karat yellow gold (see next lot), with only 100 examples to be produced in each metal.

    The present example in 18 karat pink gold combined with a striking, radially-brushed anthracite grey dial with applied Arabic numerals and signature cabochon sapphire crown. Preserved in stunning condition with almost no signs of use and wear and accompanied with its original accessories and booklets. With rising demands on fancy shaped Cartier timepiece, the Tank Asymétrique is certainly a must have from the collection.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Σ851

Ref. WGTA0043
A rare, fine and attractive limited edition pink gold asymmetrical wristwatch with certificate and presentation box, numbered 89 of a limited edition of 100 pieces

2021
47mm length x 26mm width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 230,000 
€20,400-29,300
$20,500-29,500

Sold for HK$277,200

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia 
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022