ULTRA RARE!

Lady's Solid Platinum Cartier Backwind Watch w/130-Diamonds!

130 Diamond Pavé Solid Platinum Case! Ultra Rare Watch

BREATHTAKING! This ultra rare circa 1950s Cartier DuoPlan backwind watch is one of the finest lady's timepieces ever offered by Cartier. The luxurious solid platinum rectangular case is adorned with 130 sparkling genuine diamonds totaling approximately 1.5 carats! The watch has 128 rose-cut diamonds pavé set on the bezel, sides, lugs and band. A rectangular 15 pt baguette diamond is also set in each lug. This museum-grade collectible watch is 100% original and exactly as it left the Cartier factory. It has been meticulously cleaned and serviced by our master watchmaker to look and perform as new.

In addition to the elegant case design, this Cartier backwind watch also represents an important milestone in the history of watchmaking. As watch manufacturers raced during the 1920s/30s to see who could design the smallest mechanical movement, Edmond Jaeger (Cartier's chief designer) took a novel approach and designed a watch movement that incorporated a unique 2-level design (hence the name "DuoPlan") that allowed for a smaller movement while simultaneously allowing more room for a larger mainspring (longer power reserve) and a larger balance wheel (greater timekeeping precision). 

These DuoPlan movements were manufactured by Cartier in their "European Watch & Clock Company" manufacturing facility, which was run by Jaeger. Though production continued through approximately the 1950s, there are very few DuoPlan watches still in circulation today and I see them for sale very infrequently. They get snatched up quickly by collectors and hidden away in private collections.

Looking through the original glass crystal, you'll see a beautiful all-original white dial (not refinished) with black painted numerals and blued spade hands. Everything is original, as it left the Cartier factory.

The watch is powered by a 17-jewel Cartier (European Watch & Clock Company) DuoPlan manual wind caliber 403 movement. This movement was reserved for Cartier's finest watches and very few were produced. The movement is quite scarce and highly sought after by serious collectors. The watch winds, sets and runs beautifully and has just been fully serviced.

The watch is mounted on it's original braided solid 14 karat white gold rope-style band with diamond-encrusted solid platinum accents (see picture)and a 14 karat white gold clasp. The watch measures a petite 29mm (a little over 1 inch) long by 11mm (just under 1/2 inch) wide and will fit up to a 6-3/4 inch wrist. The solid platinum watch weighs 23.7 grams. 

SALES TAX
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GUARANTEES
We guarantee that our watches and jewelry are exactly as described. We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase. If you receive an item and don't wish to keep it, simply let us know within 7 days of receipt and we'll arrange to take it back and issue an immediate 100% refund. It's that simple! The exception to this rule is when we list an item "as is" in the text description (usually parts or salvage items).

There is no guarantee on "as is" items and these sales are final. All our vintage watches are guaranteed to run unless otherwise stated in the description, however please assume that they may require cleaning or adjustment to keep correct time. If a watch has been recently serviced or timed while in our possession, we'll disclose this in the description.

DOMESTIC SHIPPING
Domestic shipping is by Registered U.S. Postal Priority Mail unless otherwise noted or requested. All shipments are insured. The fixed cost for domestic shipping is $80 USD. Shipping discounts are available on multiple item purchases.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING  
International shipments will shipped via Insured Fed-Ex or U.S. Postal Express Mail (where allowed) and will be charged shipping at our cost (no handling fees). You can obtain an estimate of international shipping cost by visiting www.fedex.com or www.usps.com. We will e-mail the winning bidder at the end of the auction with the exact shipping cost. Buyer is responsible for all duties and taxes. We will not falsify customs documents.

$17, 995 USD