Cartier

SJX
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Cartier Tank sells for a record $135,000 at Patrizzi & Co New York auction

Vintage Cartier watches and clocks regular achieve outstanding results at auction. Especially valuable are the early 20th century Cartier watches with extremely fine European Watch & Clock Company (EWC) movements supplied by LeCoultre.

Nonetheless, the result hammer price of a 1929 Cartier Tank in platinum was stunning, a record breaking $135,000.

Here is Patrizzi & Co's description for the record-breaking Tank:

LOT 110
“Louis Cartier” Platinum Tank.
Cartier, Paris, No. 21946, “Louis Cartier,” completed February 8, 1929, sold by Cartier, London.
Very fine and very rare, platinum men’s wristwatch with original Cartier platinum bracelet and original fitted morocco box.

SOLD for $135,000 (new world record)

The fact that it is in platinum, with a matching platinum bracelet, is likely the reason for the sale price.

Osvaldo Patrizzi gave Cartier an strong vote of confidence in the press release announcing the results:

“With this auction, Cartier and Rolex join Patek Philippe in the top-tier for collectors. Breaking the world record for a platinum Art Déco Louis Cartier Tank at auction is a tremendous achievement,” said Osvaldo Patrizzi, president and CEO of Patrizzi & Co. “A Cartier ruby-set platinum and rock crystal pocket watch sold for more than double its estimate and the sale of the Cartier Comet Clock with grande sonnerie demonstrates the esteem among collectors for this type of timepiece.”

Several other vintage Cartier timepieces sold for handsome sums at the same auction. Here are some highlights: 

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LOT 109
Cartier Complicated Comet Clock
Cartier, Paris, No. 2577, completed in 1929.
An exceptional and magnificent, nephrite mounted in 18k yellow gold, eight-day duration, grande sonnerie carriage desk clock with phases of the moon, days of the week, date and alarm with original morocco fitted box, accompanied by a Cartier certificate.

SOLD for $250,000

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LOT 106
Platinum, Rock Crystal And Ruby-Set Pocket Watch.
Cartier, Paris, No. 21079, completed on October 12, 1928, sold by Cartier, London
Very fine and rare, keyless, rock crystal, ruby-set men’s dress pocket watch in platinum with platinum chain and original fitted morocco box. One of the thinnest rock crystal models and movements ever used by Cartier.

SOLD for $46,000 (more than double its estimate)

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LOT 111
“Louis Cartier” Tank
Cartier, London, No. 9120, with London hallmark for 1977.
Very rare, 18k white gold men’s wristwatch with matching 18k white gold bracelet, entirely made in Cartier’s London workshop, with original Cartier morocco fitted box.

SOLD for $60,000

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LOT NO. 119
Cartier Platinum Minute Repeater Pocket Watch.
Cartier, Paris, No. 8779, circa 1918.
Very fine and extremely rare, platinum, minute repeating, men’s dress pocket watch with a noble provenance and original fitted morocco box. This watch is the earliest known surviving example of approximately 20 minute-repeating platinum watches produced by Cartier prior to World War II.

SOLD for $42,000

All images from Patrizzi& Co.

- SJX