Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 456

CARTIER RUSSIAN RED CROSS IMPERIAL PRESENTATION MINUTE-REPEATING SHUTTERED DRESS WATCH WITH ORIGINAL CARTIER BOX BEARING THE RUSSIAN IMPERIAL ARMS Cartier, Paris, case No. 3154. Made for Imperial presentation to a member of the Red Cross, circa 1915. Extremely fine and probably unique, very thin and elegant, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold and enamel keyless dress watch with shuttered dial. Accompanied by a Certificate and by the original Cartier red morocco box embossed with the Russian Imperial eagle.

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

USD 75,000 - 100,000 / EUR 60,000 - 75,000

C. Three-body, polished, the back cover with a central circular red and white champlevé enamel emblem of the Red Cross, coin-edge band, the front with wide bezel and central glazed aperture with white enamel outline, engraved below ?from H.P.D. 1919?, the dial shutters with blue champlevé enamel monogram ?OHC? (in Cyrillic ?ONS?), the shutters opening to reveal the dial by depressing the button in the crown. D. Engine-turned matte silver with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 39 mm, matte gilt, 31 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel fl at balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Dial signed Cartier, Paris, case numbered 3154. Diam. 47 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-10-01

Good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

The exact history of this very rare watch is not known. However, it is thought that it was presented by Czar Nicholas II to his eldest daughter Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna around 1915. All the women of the House of Romanov served with the Red Cross and the famous Red Cross egg by Faberge was also made for Easter 1915. The engraved inscription on the front of the watch is believed to refer to a later owner who obtained the watch after the Revolution of 1918.