I’ve never seen another watch quite like this one. I’m not positive it would be excellent for telling the time – it’s sort of difficult to read – but I think being aware of the time is not the primary reason one would wear a watch like this one.
What I find so remarkable is that the face of the dial is a cabochon emerald crystal rather than something colorless and traditional.
The the bracelet is set with circular- and single-cut diamonds, and is expandable. The dial, beneath that cabochon emerald crystal, is applied with Roman numerals. Outside the emerald, the dial is bezel millegrain-set with circular-cut diamonds. The dial of the watch is signed Cartier, and was made in 1920.
This watch was sold as part of Sotheby’s May 2012 Magnificent Jewels auction. All images and info are thanks to Sotheby’s.
 |
Oh my! The emerald watch face says, “I’m so snarking rich that I disdain quartz or (ugh) synthetic sapphire for a watch face. If the (comparatively delicate) emerald shatters, I’ll have it replaced.” Yup; a mighty in-your-face piece of jewelry come-uppance. I’d sneer, “So nouveau riche,” but I’m too busy drooling.