Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Cartier EWC Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch, 1920s
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier (maker)
- Date
- 1920s
- Historical period
- Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)
- Country of origin
- France
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold, enamel
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 4106
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4106)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Cartier EWC Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch (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 4106), this is a pocket watch by Cartier, made in France, dated 1920s. 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, enamel. The record is illustrated with 4 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
The Cartier EWC Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch from the 1920s is a captivating piece that epitomizes the elegance and craftsmanship synonymous with the Cartier brand. This exquisite timepiece is a remarkable artifact from the Art Deco period, showcasing a 46mm diameter case crafted from luxurious 18K yellow gold. The case is adorned with meticulously crafted blue and white guilloche enamel, adding a touch of sophistication and artistry to its design. Powered by a high-quality European Watch & Clock Movement (EWC), this mechanical, manual wind watch promises precision and reliability. The watch’s white guilloche dial, accentuated by striking black Roman numerals, exudes a timeless elegance that appeals to both collectors and watch enthusiasts. With its excellent condition, this pocket watch is not just a functional accessory but a true gem that reflects the meticulous attention to detail and superior craftsmanship that Cartier is celebrated for. Originating from France and dating back to the 1920s, this vintage watch is a beautiful representation of the era’s style and a worthy consideration for those seeking a blend of elegance and functionality in a collectible timepiece. This is a stunning Circa 1920s Cartier pocket watch that would make a wonderful addition to any collection. The watch features a 46mm diameter and 4.5mm thick 18K yellow gold two-piece case with beautifully crafted blue and white guilloche enamel. This mechanical, manual wind watch is powered by a high-quality European Watch & Clock Movement (EWC). The watch has a white guilloche dial with black Roman numerals, giving it a classic and elegant look. It is in excellent condition overall, making it a true gem for collectors and watch enthusiasts alike. This pocket watch from Cartier is a testament to the attention to detail and craftsmanship that the brand is known for. If you’re looking for a vintage watch that is both elegant and functional, this pocket watch is definitely worth considering. Creator: Cartier Case Material: 18k Gold Movement: Manual Wind Style: Art Deco Place of Origin: France Period: 1920-1929 Date of Manufacture: 1920s 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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