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.
The pendant is signed for Trabert & Hoeffer, Inc and Mauboussin, while the chain, which was added later, is signed by Cartier. No wonder this thing is gorgeous, with all of those big names working on it.