CARTIER PARIS | PENDULE MYSTERIEUSE "MODEL A", A SUPER RARE EARLY ART DECO ROCK CRYSTAL, YELLOW GOLD, WHITE AGATE, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND-SET MYSTERY CLOCK, CIRCA 1914

Footnotes

Cartier "Model A" Mystery Clock
Introduced in 1912, the Cartier "Model A" Mystery Clock is among the most celebrated creations in horological history. Conceived by Louis Cartier and master clockmaker Maurice Coüet, it was inspired by illusionist and clockmaker Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. Named in playful reference to Ford's Model T, it marked the debut of Cartier's "Pendules Mystérieuses" series, which captivated elite collectors such as J.P. Morgan and Queen Mary.
Of the approximately 60 examples produced, fewer than 5 feature an agate base, making this piece exceptionally rare. The "Model A" sold to J.P. Morgan Jr. was numbered 395—remarkably close to this present example, numbered 418—indicating it is among the earliest "Model A" clocks created. The "Model A" remains highly sought after; in June 2022, Bonhams Hong Kong sold a rare example with a black onyx base for a world record of HK$6.87 million (approx. USD $879,250).

Design and Craftsmanship
Compact yet striking, the "Model A" clock typically measures 13.5 cm x 8.4 cm x 5 cm. This one features a transparent rock crystal case atop a white agate base, adorned with gold, enamel, mother-of-pearl, onyx, and rose-cut diamonds. Its most distinctive feature is the pair of diamond-set hands that appear to float in mid-air, creating a magical illusion with no visible mechanism—a hallmark of Art Deco's fascination with technology and illusion.

Mechanical Ingenuity
The "Model A" employs a manual-wind movement concealed within the base. Time is displayed via two transparent crystal discs—one for the hour and one for the minute—each edged with fine teeth and rotated by hidden pinions. These discs move at precise speeds, making the hands appear to float freely. Later models transitioned to quartz for silent operation, making original mechanical examples even rarer.

Historical Significance
The clock's blend of engineering brilliance and artistic elegance has secured its place among Cartier's most iconic achievements. Earlier this year, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London showcased a remarkable selection of Cartier Mystery Clocks, with an early "Model A" made in 1914 taking center stage. The example offered in this auction is almost identical to the piece currently on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Cartier Mystery Clocks have been widely documented. In The Cartiers: The Untold Story, Francesca Cartier Brickell highlights Maurice Coüet's pivotal role as Cartier's sole clockmaker in the early years, supplying table clocks as early as 1911. The book also recounts an intriguing anecdote: an early "Model A" once owned by the Duchess of Westminster was shattered during a marital argument—an unfortunate incident that left the world with one fewer example of this iconic design.

Provenance
This exquisite clock is closely tied to the Delion family, renowned Parisian hat maker in Paris since 1847. During La Belle Époque, Delion hats symbolized elegance, often paired with bespoke leather trunks for travel. By the 1920s, Delion expanded into fashion accessories, opening prestigious shops across Paris and Biarritz. It was during this golden era that the family acquired this Cartier "Model A" Mystery Clock, which became a centerpiece in their Boulevard Saint-Germain residence and remains a treasured heirloom.

Bonhams is proud to present this iconic "Model A" Mystery Clock—a masterpiece of timeless craftsmanship and luxury. Celebrating the enduring legacy of Delion and Cartier, this exceptional creation continues their tradition of innovation and elegance, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a true landmark in horological history.

卡地亞「Model A」神秘鐘
卡地亞於1912年推出的「Model A」神秘鐘，是鐘錶史上最具代表性的創作之一。此鐘由路易·卡地亞與鐘錶大師Maurice Coüet(莫里斯·庫埃)共同構思，靈感來自十九世紀的幻術師兼鐘錶匠尚-歐仁·羅伯-胡丹。其名稱「Model A」巧妙地向福特的革命性汽車「Model T」致敬，象徵創新與突破。這款神秘鐘是卡地亞「Pendules Mystérieuses」系列的首作，深受如J.P.摩根與瑪麗皇后等上流收藏家的喜愛。全球僅製作約60件作品中，少於5件採用瑪瑙底座，使本品極為罕見。售予J.P.摩根二世的「Model A」編號為395，與本拍品編號418極為接近，顯示其屬於最早期的作品。「Model A」極為稀有且備受追捧；2022年6月，邦瀚斯香港拍賣行成功以港幣6,870,000元（約合879,250美元）拍出一件以黑瑪瑙底座的「Model A」，創下世界紀錄。

設計與工藝
外觀上，「Model A」是一件精緻小巧的藝術品，尺寸約為13.5公分 x 8.4公分 x 5公分。鐘體由透明水晶製成，座落於白瑪瑙底座之上，並以黃金、琺瑯、珍珠母、縞瑪瑙及玫瑰式切割鑽石裝飾。其最具特色之處在於一對鑽石鑲嵌指針，彷彿懸浮於空中，營造出無可見機械結構的魔幻幻象，充分體現裝飾藝術時代對科技與幻術的迷戀。

機械巧思
採用手動上鍊機芯，巧妙地隱藏於底座之中。時間由兩片透明水晶圓盤顯示——分別控制時針與分針，圓盤邊緣設有精密齒輪，由隱藏的小齒輪驅動，以精準速度旋轉，使指針看似自由漂浮。此系統依賴水晶的折射清晰度與傳統擒縱機制運作，後期版本則改用石英機芯以達靜音效果，使原始機械款更顯珍稀。

歷史意義
此鐘融合工程巧思與藝術美感，奠定其在卡地亞經典作品中的地位。今年，倫敦維多利亞與艾伯特博物館展出多款卡地亞神秘鐘，其中1914年製的早期「Model A」居於展覽中心位置。本拍品與該博物館展出的作品幾乎完全一致。卡地亞神秘鐘廣泛記載於文獻中。在《The Cartiers: The Untold Story》一書中，Francesca Cartier Brickell強調Maurice Coüet(莫里斯·庫埃)作為卡地亞早期唯一鐘錶匠的關鍵角色，並提及他自1911年起供應座鐘。書中還記載一則趣聞：一件曾屬西敏公爵夫人的早期「A型」在婚姻爭執中被摔碎，令世上少了一件此經典設計。

文獻資料
卡地亞神秘鐘在多本書籍中均有描述與圖示，其中包括 Hans Nadelhoffer 所著《Cartier》第276至277頁、 Flammarion 出版的《The Cartier Collection: Timepieces》第144至147頁，以及Francesca Cartier Brickell著作《The Cartiers: The Untold Story》。這些文獻記錄了神秘鐘的歷史、工藝以及在重要收藏中的出現。

來源背景
這件稀有的卡地亞「Model A」神秘鐘，出自19至20世紀法國頂級帽匠德利昂家族。自 1847 年起，德利昂家族便是巴黎帽飾界的翹楚。在「美好年代」La Belle Époque期間，其帽飾成為優雅與品味的象徵，常與訂製皮革帽箱搭配，適合遠洋旅行。他們最受歡迎的作品之一是可摺疊高帽，法語稱為「Chapeaux Claques」，因打開時會發出清脆聲響，深受歌劇與文化活動愛好者喜愛。到了1920年代，德里昂品牌擴展至男女時尚配件，並在巴黎及比亞里茲開設多間高級店鋪。儘管業務擴展，家族仍堅持自營，主要生產基地設於伊維托。在這黃金時期，此鐘被德里昂家族納入收藏，隨後成為其位於巴黎聖日耳曼大道宅邸中的重要陳設，歷經百年傳承後首次釋出，彌足珍貴。

邦瀚斯榮幸呈獻此經典「Model A」神秘鐘，一件凝聚永恆工藝與奢華的傑作。此作品延續德里昂與卡地亞的創新與優雅傳統，為收藏家提供難得機會，擁有鐘錶史上的傳世傳奇。