Deja vu…

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw this vintage Cartier pocket watch that recently sold at auction — could it be the inspiration for the 2012 Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch that was introduced earlier this year?  Seems so!  See my “side by side” comparison below and judge for yourself. According to Antiquorum (auctioneer), this vintage Cartier pocket watch has a 44.5mm rock crystal case with faceted border on the back, platinum band and skeletonized platinum Roman numerals, and a skeletonized center with blued steel Breguet-style hands.  The movement is by European Watch and Clock Co.  The watch condition was rated as “very good” and sold at the high end of the estimated range — final price including buyer’s premium was 51,250 CHF , or about $54,000 USD.

Vintage Cartier Pocket Watch

Sold at auction for 51,250 CHF (~$54,000 USD) (Antiquorum, Geneva May 2012)

44.5mm diameter

back:

front:

Comparison:  2012 Cartier Grand Complication Skeleton Pocket Watch vs. 1920′s Cartier Pocket Watch

note:  not to scale (2012 model is 59mm, 1920 model is 44.5mm)