Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo presents an exceptional selection of nine Art Deco Cartier clocks from a prestigious private collection, to be offered this May across auctions in Geneva and Hong Kong.
The Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XX will be held 23 – 25 May 2025 at the Phillips Asia Headquarters, in the WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District. Phillips will have a dedicated Evening session on 23 May, featuring clocks that showcase Cartier’s genius and the influence of the Far East on their Art Deco designs, while some of the creations are part of the 24-25 May sessions.
The Lot 815 is made of red amber, black enamel, diamonds, and carved jade in circa 1925 – an exquisite desk clock is a perfect representation of how Cartier reinvented Eastern motifs in its form and design. It features a green jade dial depicting a monkey and a dark red amber bangle carved with a chimera.
Measuring 215mm tall, the Lot 803 is a museum-quality Mystery Clock features a beautiful coral sculpture depicting a dragon and Bixie, a mythical creature in Chinese folklore often portrayed as a hybrid between a lion and dragon. The rock crystal, diamond, onyx, coral, mother-of-pearl, yellow gold and enamel mystery clock not only an intricate and beautiful piece of horological history, but also historically significant Art Deco piece from circa 1930.
The Lot 806 is an exceptional, unique, and museum-quality nephrite, onyx, lacquer, diamond, and coral-set illuminated desk clock styled as a lantern with double mother-of-pearl dials, circa 1925. The clock also has fascinating royal provenances. According to a recently rediscovered commercial invoice issued by Cartier, an Egyptian Royal Crown was added on the clock for the occasion of Princess Fawzia’s wedding on 15 March 1939 to the Crown Prince of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Created circa 1905, the Lot 906 is a unique Cartier table clock combines pink marble, agate, and vibrant green enamel in a design deeply inspired by Russian artistry. Featuring a clock, barometer, and thermometer, the piece reflects the Belle Époque era and the opulence of early 20th-century France. A carved agate elephant stands atop the pink marble base.
Discover more clocks, timepieces and 19th century mechanical curiosities from the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XX here.
Source: press release. Photo credits: Loupiosity.com.
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