Lot#: 152

DESCRIPTION: EPW - Cartier, Paris, very rare ultra-thin hunting case watch measuring only 3.1mm front-to-back width at its thickest point, 50mm, ultra-thin HC with mvt set into single-piece case body, front with blue enameled initials, inner front with French touchmarks and engraved name "Mizpah," original finely textured (taille-douce) pie-section silver dial, lever escapement, 18J, fausses-côtes pattern nickel damascene, s#6182. Gross weight of assembled watch 26.7 dwt (41.6 g). A truly stunning timepiece, this style movement measures only 1.4mm in front-to-back width and the cased watch is an equally incredible only 3.1mm in front-to-back width. A good comparison to put these figures in context is a modern US quarter dollar coin, which measures 1.75mm in front-to-back width, and we have chosen to include two photographs of this piece alongside a quarter for this comparison. In this cataloger's opinion, though, the in-hand experience is even more impressive than what can be conveyed via photography as the sheer thinness of the piece in-hand is absolutely mind-blowing. We have chosen not to disassemble this watch to inspect its movement cosmetics, as the process of accessing the movement is fairly complex and delicate. Our firm previously handled this present example in 2008 and a photo under its dial was taken at that time and can be viewed at this link - https://www.auctions.jones-horan.com/0701/images/am38_g.jpg , and our firm has handled another example at the relatively close serial number of 6164 that features the same ultra-thin movement style and a photo of its movement removed from case can be viewed at this link - https://www.auctions.jones-horan.com/1402/images/17237_g.jpg
CONDITION: Mvt: Running, setting operating normally in clockwise direction but mvt with tendency to stop running if counter-clockwise setting is attempted so due to the delicacy of this ultra-thin mvt and the challenge of accessing the mvt we recommend user only set in clockwise direction, mvt not removed from case to inspect cosmetic condition; dial nearly flawless in visible portion with some mild surface spots which rate as not much above negligible; nearly mint hands; case shows hardly any wear, profuse micro-fine scratches, few infinitesimal pinpoint nicks, no dents or dings, enamel inlay fully present, case front opens somewhat short of 90 degrees (to approximately 75 degrees); tight bow, crown shows hardly any wear; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE: $6000 - $12000