Cartier Montre Couteau Minute-Repeating Pocket Watch, Ref. 5894

Technical characteristics

Type

Minute repeating pocket watch

Maker

Cartier

Weight

64 grams

Diameter

Approximately 49 mm

Case Material

18-carat yellow gold

Movement Size

15 ligne

Maker / attribution

Cartier

Design

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in an 18-carat yellow gold knife-edge case, measured at approximately 49 mm in diameter. The rear of the case is decorated with a monogram, 'MS', executed in white enamel. The construction includes an oval bow for suspension. The auction description notes the presence of a French eagle hallmark inside the case. The dial is finished in a gilded tone and incorporates black Arabic numerals. Time is indicated by blued Breguet-style hands. A secondary dial for subsidiary seconds is positioned at the six o'clock location. The overall condition is described as showing wear, including scratches, signs of use, and minor degradation to the dial's gilded finish and the blue coating on the hands.

Visible features

• Case features an oval-shaped bow suspension • Case back is engraved with a white enamel monogram • Dial includes a subsidiary seconds register at the six o'clock position

Condition and Provenance

The auction description provides a status report identifying surface-level wear, including scratches, dents, and signs of consistent handling. Specific mentions include loss of blue color on the minute hand and abrasion around the case opening grooves. A narrative concerning the watch's history suggests a previous ownership by a financial advisor to Tsar Nicholas II, claiming the family exited St. Petersburg in 1920 with this item. The auction house explicitly states that this anecdotal provenance lacks independent verification and is provided as information reported by the seller.

Movement and Functionality

The timepiece is powered by a 15-ligne jewelled movement that utilizes a keyless, hand-wound system. The watch includes an integrated minute-repeating mechanism intended to audibly indicate the time. According to the information provided by the auction house, both the primary timekeeping function and the minute-repeating mechanism were observed to be operational during an initial evaluation. The source notes that a long-term accuracy test has not been conducted and provides a recommendation for a full service to ensure optimal function.

Identification

Reference

5894

Serial number

3454

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.