Mechanical movement, old and single-cut diamonds, round and sugarloaf cabochon sapphires, round and sugarloaf cabochon rubies, round and sugarloaf cabochon emeralds, ring-shaped pierced emerald, red enamel, plaque and sugarloaf cabochon onyx, French import assay mark for platinum (850‰) for pinstem, signed Cartier Paris, numbered, circa 1925

Size/Dimensions: length 9.0 cm, case width 2.1 cm, dial diameter 16.0 mm
Gross weight: 38.41 grams

Please note that this lot was tested by the Paris Regional Customs Authority as platinum (850‰), but was exempted from assay marking due to fragility.
Veuillez noter que ce lot a été testé par la Direction Régionale des Douanes de Paris comme étant composé de platine (850‰), mais qu'il a été dispensé de poinçonnage pour fragilité.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Art Déco movement revolutionized the world of art, architecture, and design. In this spirit of innovation and refinement, Cartier transformed the watch into a wearable work of art, giving rise to iconic creations: the chatelaine watches.

Unlike traditional wristwatches, chatelaine watches are worn suspended from a chain, attached to a belt or clothing. They combine practicality with discreet luxury. At Cartier, these pieces are distinguished by the perfect harmony between geometry and decoration, a faithful reflection of Art Déco aesthetics. Straight lines, angular shapes, and stylized motifs blend seamlessly with precious materials such as gold, platinum, and gemstones (diamonds, emeralds, or sapphires).

Each Cartier chatelaine watch is conceived as a miniature masterpiece. The case, often rectangular or octagonal, is decorated with exquisite precision, while the delicately crafted chain becomes a decorative element in its own right. Some watches even feature enameled patterns or engravings inspired by modern architecture, showcasing the era’s taste for symmetry and refinement.

These watches were more than fashion accessories; they reflected the social status and sophisticated taste of their wearer. Worn by the elegant women of the Roaring Twenties, they embodied a refined lifestyle where time and aesthetics were harmoniously intertwined.

Today, Cartier Art Déco chatelaine watches are highly prized collector’s items, symbols of horological excellence and the timeless elegance of the Cartier maison. They stand as a testament to an era in which jewelry and watchmaking merged to create objects that were both functional and exquisitely beautiful.