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CARTIER Haute Joaillerie Baguette, Ref. CRHPI01084, 18k White Gold, approx. 6 ct Baguette Diamonds, approx. 5 ct Sapphires, Mecanical Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101, Box, Papers & Invoice 2016, No. 1, Excellent Condition

Cartier’s high jewellery watches are made in very small numbers, and some exist only once. This one carries the number 1. As far as we know, no second example has ever come onto the market. It’s a piece that sits right between jewellery and watchmaking, and it takes both seriously.

The case and the integrated bracelet are made of 18k white gold. Baguette cut diamonds with a total weight of about 6 carats and sapphires weighing about 5 carats are set into them. The baguette cut is demanding. Its long, straight facets show every flaw in the stone and every imprecision in the setting, so it only works with very clean stones and a very careful setter. Here the lines run calmly and evenly into one another. The bracelet flows straight out of the case, which makes the watch look like a single piece of jewellery.

At the centre is a small silver dial. It keeps the time readable and lets the stones speak for themselves.

The real surprise is under the case. Inside is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 101, the smallest mechanical movement in series production. It was introduced in 1929, has 98 components and weighs barely a gram. It’s manually wound, so it’s real watchmaking and not a quartz movement hidden in a jewel. Cartier was already using this calibre in its baguette watches in the 1930s and 40s, so this watch continues a long tradition between the two houses.

The watch was sold in 2016 and is in excellent condition. It comes with the original Cartier box, the Cartier papers listing every stone weight, and the original Cartier invoice - was EUR 311K.

„Wow, t’s a rare chance to own an awesome piece of Cartier high jewellery that, as far as anyone can tell, exists only once!"