Spellbound
1343
Perhaps it is magic
Perhaps there is no movement at all. It is indeed a large "hole". Not to detract from Cartier for creating these almost affordable "mystery watches" but the hole in the Konstantin Chaykin Levitas watches, which were developed around the same time, are even larger ! Cartier and Chaykin are different beasts and although I love the Levitas, and love the Independent status, my preference would be for the Cartier given the history you laid out so beautifully.
Warmest,
Dean
Review of Cartier Mystery Watches and Clocks
Les heures mysterieuses de Cartier: For more than a century, Cartier has been confounding its clients with magic and mystery. "Model A" Mystery Clock, Cartier Paris, 1914: Sold to Count Greffulhe. Nick Welsh, Cartier Collection Cartier Base in moulded a...
Once again a fantastic report
I must say that since the 1980's I have been enamored by the Cartier Mystery Clocks. It has since been one of my lifetime goals to have just one. Maybe when I publish my first book !? In the meantime, this might just be the year that I pull the trigger on...
Good luck with the mission
Spellbound, Good luck with the book and quest for a mystery clock. A vintage clock will be a gazillion dollars even if available. A new one to order will be twice that amount! ;) The Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Hours is a more likely target because they...
Perhaps it is magic
Perhaps there is no movement at all. It is indeed a large "hole". Not to detract from Cartier for creating these almost affordable "mystery watches" but the hole in the Konstantin Chaykin Levitas watches, which were developed around the same time, are eve...
Amazed once again...
Always thinking that the mystery clock is magical, I am even more mystified that such a mechanism is fitted into a small watch case. And especially a Tourbillon in a 45mm case! So much information here, it needs to be read more than once. And I shall do s...
Sometimes the Cartier technical explanations
Are heavy reading and my eyes glaze over until they refocus on the mystery watches again. Then, the explanations become a mild drone in the background and the magic hapens. There is no need to know how it happens. Only to know that it happens. I prefer th...
Going purely for aesthetics...
as they are all mechanical marvels, I love the looks of the Double Mystery Tourbillon most. Partly because I'm a sucker for the traditional blued hands. Cheers, Carl
Thank you for this excellent article, really deserving reference status!
I always loved Cartier's mystery clocks, and of course any of the wonderful mystery wristwatches - even if I fear that the sight of a hairy wrist under the seemingly bodyless indications somewhat compromises the effect. Your marvelous article series on Ca...
I try to use reference links
Marcus, Thank you for kind comments. Thy are just compilations of reference material from various textbooks I have also collected during this watch hobby. As for my past series of articles, I now add a list of reference URL links to all postings within th...
That's a Cartier I love
Hi MTF, That's a Cartier I love. If there's a watch I would have loved to have bought, that's a mysterious Cartier pocket watch made for the anniversary in 1997, seen 13 rue de la Paix (in the former boutique that I regret so much too). Best Dje
Regret is a dish best served with
...a big glass of single malt whisky. ;) The thing about pocket watches is we have so few opportunities to use one in classic fashion. The last time I wore a suit with waistcoat was in 1981. It was a white suit with reversible white or tan waistcoat.....a...
What a superb post Melvyn!
Thanks a lot for this comprehensive article! The only thing I can say is that 2013 was a Mysterious year! Fx ...