Cartier: An oversized gold square wristwatch Y
Louis Cartier Collection "Square", Ref. 97051, circa 1977
Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000
Auction: 29 April 2025 from 14:00 BST
Description
Cal.978 mechanical hand-wound movement, white dial signed Cartier Paris, rectangular 18 carat yellow gold case with stepped bezel, cabochon-set winding crown, on green strap with 18 carat gold Cartier buckle. Dimensions 38 x 34mm.
Accompanied by a Cartier service pouch.
Footnote
The Cartier ‘Square’, Ref.97051 is known by many names including the Jumbo, TV and Gondole Horizontale. Launched in 1973 as part of Cartier’s ‘Louis Cartier’ collection of twelve new models, the line-up also included the Tank Normale Ref.78092 (see lot 32) and the Square Incuvee Ref.78101 (see lot 13). The large proportions of the Square model, measuring 38 x 34mm, was by far the largest sized watch within the twelve piece collection. Research of case numbers that have subsequently appeared publicly, would suggest limited numbers were manufactured. Possibly due to its large size and limited appeal when released, the model today represents the almost eccentric style of the 1970s.
The same model, titled ‘Square Wristwatch’ and attributed to 1973 is illustrated in Chaille, François and Cologni, Franco, The Cartier Collection; Timepieces, Flammarion, 2006, page 470.