Cartier Art Deco Guillotine Purse Watch

Originally created as a purse watch, this "Guillotine" purse watch (montre de sac à guillotine) by Cartier is an extremely rare find and in a class all its own. Crafted of 18K yellow gold, no detail was spared by the famed firm in creating a high-quality, luxury timepiece. The cream-colored square dial, signed "Cartier France," features blued steel Breguet hands and is flanked by three gold pyramid accents on each side. The onyx roman numerals, rendered in a bold and highly modern typeset, transform as they wrap the perimeter of the dial, creating a geometric Art Deco design. What sets this timepiece apart as a masterpiece of Cartier craftsmanship is the gold-ribbed shutters for the dial, activated with a push of two blue enamel buttons. This coveted feature would allow the owner to carry the watch with them each day, whether in a purse or pocket, without worrying about scratching the dial's fine surface. The Cartier tradition of clock and watchmaking extends almost as far back as the