
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Cartier 18Kt. Yellow Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch Hand Made – 1920”s
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier (maker)
- Date
- 20th century
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- France
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3115
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3115)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Cartier 18Kt. Yellow Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch Hand Made – 1920”s (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3115), this is a pocket watch by Cartier, made in France, dated 20th century. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
Step into the elegance and sophistication of the 1920s with this exquisite Cartier 18Kt. Yellow Gold Art Deco Pocket Watch, a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of Cartier Jewellers. This vintage timepiece, with its open-faced design, embodies the quintessential Art Deco style, featuring a silvered dial adorned with black Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet moon hands. Crafted meticulously from 18kt yellow gold and enamel, this watch is not just a timekeeper but a work of art. Its manual winding movement, equipped with 19 jewels, underscores the superior quality and precision for which Cartier is celebrated. Measuring 50mm in diameter, it strikes the perfect balance between elegance and practicality, making it suitable for any occasion, whether at the office or a sophisticated evening out. The handcrafted construction and kiln-fired enamel inlay highlight Cartier’s reputation for creating ultra-thin, high-grade watches that are both reliable and functional. This piece, dating back to the 1920s, is more than just a watch; it is a collector’s dream, a timeless treasure that promises to keep time accurately and stylishly for years to come. This vintage watch from Cartier Jewellers is a stunning example of Art Deco style. With its open-faced design, it exudes a sense of elegance and sophistication. Crafted from 18kt yellow gold and enamel, this watch is a true work of art. Its silvered dial is adorned with black Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet moon hands, adding to its classic charm. Dating back to the 1920s, this piece is a true collector’s item. Its manual winding movement with 19 jewels is a testament to the craftsmanship and quality for which Cartier watches are renowned. Measuring 50mm in diameter, this watch is the perfect size for everyday wear. It is versatile enough to be worn on any occasion, from the office to a night out. Cartier’s reputation for creating ultra-thin and high-grade watches is evident in this timepiece. Its handcrafted construction and kiln-fired enamel inlay make it a standout piece. Its originality adds to its value and makes it a must-have for serious collectors. This watch is not only beautiful, but reliable and functional as well. With its ability to keep time accurately and stylishly, it is a watch that will be treasured for years to come. Creator: Cartier Movement: Manual Wind Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: 1920”s Condition: Excellent
Historical context
Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.
The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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