The Watch
Sometimes, your eyes meet something or someone and you just know that you need to bring it into your life, this was the case here with this ever so unusual Cartier Wristwatch.
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I would love to sit here and tell you I have been able to find out a huge amount about this unusual piece. I have tried to collaborate with plenty of colleagues throughout the Watch World and the answer has been the same throughout.... they have never seen one.
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During my, limited, research, I have discovered this example has been through a few dealers hands over the years and judging by their vague descriptions they didn't know much either. I have discovered two other examples, one seems to have "18" inside the caseback whilst this example has "15", perhaps an edition number and the other example also seemed to have a non-cabochon crown.
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Lets focus on what we do know....Produced exclusively for the Cartier New York flagship store on Fifth Avenue, which was bought for a string of pearls did you know?, and seemingly produced in very low numbers, the mesmerizing blue sort of 3D Honeycomb dial was produced by Sigma and wows in all lighting conditions. Housed inside a 18k Gold 26mm Case lies a manual wind Cartier INC Calibre 78-1. One thing is for certain.... you won't see another in a hurry.
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View this Cartier NY in a video: here
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The Specs
Age: c.late 70s-early 80s.
Calibre: 78-1.
Movement: Manual Wind Cartier 78-1.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior, April 2024.
Dial: Cartier Signed Sigma Blue Honeycomb Dial.
Case: Stainless 18k Gold.
Case Size: with/without Crown: 25.7mm/26mm. 29.8mm End of Lug to Lug.
Movement: Manual Wind Cartier 78-1.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior, April 2024.
Dial: Cartier Signed Sigma Blue Honeycomb Dial.
Case: Stainless 18k Gold.
Case Size: with/without Crown: 25.7mm/26mm. 29.8mm End of Lug to Lug.
Bezel: Solid 18k Gold.
Water Resistant?: NO.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Non cabochon.
Strap/Bracelet: On a NOS Vintage 17mm Cartier Paris, Blue Leather Strap with Gold Plated Cartier Buckle.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown: Non cabochon.
Strap/Bracelet: On a NOS Vintage 17mm Cartier Paris, Blue Leather Strap with Gold Plated Cartier Buckle.
Lug Size: 17mm.
Box and Papers: No.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Highly Unusual.
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Bits that stand out:
- Highly Unusual.
- Produced for Cartier New York.
- Superb Quality.
- Superb Quality.
- Wonderful Blue Sigma Dial.
-Cartier Paris Strap.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Marks and some Paint loss throughout the Dial.
Nitty Gritty:
- Marks and some Paint loss throughout the Dial.
-Evidence of polishing to Caseback.
- Markings to the centre of Hands.
-Non Cabochon Crown. (potentially correct).
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Overall this odd ball Cartier is in good order.
The Case has marks throughout, 18k is a soft metal.
The Crown is potentially correct but non cabochon.
Crystal is in very good shape.
The Dial is marked throughout and with paint loss, it still looks fantastic though.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.
Photographed on a 7in Wrist.