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Lot Essay
For Cartier collectors, wristwatches produced during the early 20th century are among the most desirable of the Maison’s creations. This incredibly rare and early Tonneau Cintrée was designed to provide a perfect fit on the wrist, its elongated and curved case following its contours with remarkable elegance. The largest of Cartier’s early tonneau-shaped models, it was produced in extremely small numbers. Introduced in 1906, the Tonneau Cintrée is one of Cartier’s earliest wristwatch designs and, despite its instantly recognisable form, remains highly elusive and rarely appears at international auction.
The present timepiece is a superb example of what is regarded as one of the most attractive and sought-after designs among Cartier’s early production wristwatches. Its beautifully and evenly patinated guilloché silvered dial bears the coveted ‘Cartier Paris’ signature, while the elegant case combines platinum with an 18k gold caseback. With its distinctive curved profile and wonderfully preserved period character, it represents a sublime specimen for the Cartier collector.
The platinum mesh bracelet is most probably original to the watch and is stamped with Edmond Jaeger’s ‘EJ’ mark within a lozenge. Exceptionally supple, the finely woven mesh allows the bracelet to conform naturally to the wrist, perfectly complementing the curved architecture of the Tonneau Cintrée. The movement is signed European Watch & Clock Co. Inc., the company closely associated with supplying movements for Cartier during this important period.
The very name Cartier has long been synonymous with the ultimate in luxury. From the dawn of the 20th century, the company’s timepieces captivated some of the world’s wealthiest and most demanding clientele, not only through their mechanical excellence and ingenuity, but above all through the confidence and perfection of their design. Indeed, Cartier is credited with creating one of the earliest purpose-designed men’s wristwatches for the pioneering Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, establishing a tradition of innovative wristwatch design of which the present Tonneau Cintrée is a particularly rare and important early expression.
The present timepiece is a superb example of what is regarded as one of the most attractive and sought-after designs among Cartier’s early production wristwatches. Its beautifully and evenly patinated guilloché silvered dial bears the coveted ‘Cartier Paris’ signature, while the elegant case combines platinum with an 18k gold caseback. With its distinctive curved profile and wonderfully preserved period character, it represents a sublime specimen for the Cartier collector.
The platinum mesh bracelet is most probably original to the watch and is stamped with Edmond Jaeger’s ‘EJ’ mark within a lozenge. Exceptionally supple, the finely woven mesh allows the bracelet to conform naturally to the wrist, perfectly complementing the curved architecture of the Tonneau Cintrée. The movement is signed European Watch & Clock Co. Inc., the company closely associated with supplying movements for Cartier during this important period.
The very name Cartier has long been synonymous with the ultimate in luxury. From the dawn of the 20th century, the company’s timepieces captivated some of the world’s wealthiest and most demanding clientele, not only through their mechanical excellence and ingenuity, but above all through the confidence and perfection of their design. Indeed, Cartier is credited with creating one of the earliest purpose-designed men’s wristwatches for the pioneering Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, establishing a tradition of innovative wristwatch design of which the present Tonneau Cintrée is a particularly rare and important early expression.