Curious regarding the 21 most expensive Cartier watches in the world? Cartier is one of the most famous jewelry brands in the world, having been founded by Louis-Francois Carter in 1847. It is one of the rare famous watch companies not located in Switzerland, which is known as the home of the classiest watch makers. In fact, the company’s headquarters are located in Paris, France and the company managed to remain within the family for well over a century.
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Cartier has gained international fame for its extravagant jewelry and watches, the most famous of which include a Panthere brooch which was made especially for Walla Simpson, the first ever practical wristwatch which Cartier created in 1904 and a diamond necklace for the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh. Over time Cartier brand has become a synonym for luxury, and even the cheapest watch on our list is worth more than $150,000. Few companies can rival its premium collection, such as the 17 most expensive Hublot watches.
In order to determine the 21 most expensive Cartier watches in the world, we tracked down all related auctions that took place in esteemed auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christies as well as various news websites reporting the sale of an expensive Cartier watch.
21. Cartier Art Deco Diamond and Enamel Desk Clock
Price of watch: $149,000
The Roman numerals of the watch are made out of gold while the hands of the clock set in diamonds. The case is made from crystal decorated with diamonds which are rose cut. Of course, the crystal base of the watch has been mounted in gold and platinum as well. The watch was sold at an auction by Christies, the details of which can be found here.
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20. Cartier Le Cirque Animalier De Cartier Eagle
Price of watch: $152,834
This lady’s watch is not only incredibly rare but is made out of 18K gold as well. The watch was created in 2009 by Cartier and is in the shape of an eagle. The eyes of the eagle are made of emerald while the buckle of the watch is made of gold and set with diamonds. It was sold at a Christies auction and more information can be found here.
19. Cartier Rare And Exceptional Art Deco Nephrite And Aventurine Double-Dialed Table Clock
Price of watch: $160,650
A rare Cartier watch which was created in 1930 by the company, the watch features 15 jewels. It was sold at an auction conducted by Christies in 2014, and if you desire more information regarding the watch, you can visit this page.
18. Cartier Diamond And Turquoise Set Desk Timepiece With Chinoiserie Scene
Price of watch: $164,500
Even the name of this clock sounds expensive. 12 jewels are embedded in the watch which is made out of 18K gold. The watch features turquoise studs which in turn are surrounded by diamonds. The watch was made nearly a century ago in 1926 while it was sold in 2012 at an auction which was conducted by Sotheby’s. You can learn more about the watch here.
17. Cartier Platinum and Diamond Set Ring Watch
Price of watch: $167,582
Is it a watch? Is it a ring? It’s both! This innovative piece is made out of pure platinum while being set with rows of diamonds which are both baguette cut and single cut. This beauty would set you back around $170,000 and was sold at an auction conducted by Sotheby in 2014. More information about the watch is available here.
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16. Cartier Limited Edition Santos Triple 100 Model
Price of watch: $207,290
The watch is made out of 18K gold and contains 20 jewels. The pattern dial of the watch is made from black sapphire. It also features a diamond screwed bezel among other features. The watch was sold in 2014 at an auction conducted by Christies. More information about the product is available here.
15. Cartier Mystery Watch
Price of watch: $215,711
This Cartier watch is shrouded in mystery and not much is known about it except for the fact that it was created from a combination of some of the rareest and precious items known to man which include mother-0-pearl, silver, diamond, coral and smoky quartz. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014.
14. Cartier 2008 Santos Triple 100
Price of watch: $218,382
This watch features not one but three rotatable dials. However, its high price is due to the fact that it is an extremely rare and limited edition watch, which incidentally contains 21 jewels. The case of the watch is made out of 18k gold and has diamonds set in it. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2011.
13. Cartier Jade Coral and Onyx Mystery Watch
Price of watch: $234,653
The watch, created in 1980, has a dial made out of rock crystal and features 15 jewels as well. The watch is supported by a jade vase which has been purported to have been made in either the late 18th or early 19th century. The watch was sold at an auction by Sotheby’s in 2010, and further information can be found here.
12. Cartier Chinese Mythical Creature Mystery Clock
Price of watch: $252,781
This exquisite piece of beauty is worth over a quarter of a million dollars. The two agates are connected by a piece of smoky quartz. Mythical Chinese creatures have been carved on each agate as well. The Roman numerals have been written in gold and are set with diamonds as well. The watch was sold by Sotheby’s at an auction in 2013.
11. Cartier Mystery Clock 1919 Pendule Mysterieuse Model A No 151
Price of watch: $284,544
This exquisite watch is worth well over a quarter of a million dollars for a reason. It features a chapter ring which has been flanked by rose cut diamonds while even the hands of the watch are made out of platinum while also set with diamonds. The watch was sold in 2009 at an auction conducted by Sotheby’s.
10. Cartier Lapis Lazuli Desk Timepiece
Price of watch: $290,500
Created in 1930, the watch features a total of 17 jewels while rubies are featured beneath each numeral on the clock. Of course, the hands of the watch are set in diamonds as well, which helps it find its place among these most expensive Cartier watches in the world. The watch was sold at a Sotheby’s auction and more information is available here.
9. Cartier 928 Pendule Mysterieuse Model A
Price of watch: $307,751
The chapter ring is surrounded by diamonds in this amazing example of innovation and beauty. Meanwhile, the hands of the watch are made out of platinum and are also set with diamonds. The base of the watch is made out of onyx. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction and more information can be found here.
8. Cartier Ruby Skeletonized Watch
Price of watch: $316,565
The dial of the watch gives it its famous octagonal shape which is also set with a table cut ruby, in addition to featuring a ruby bezel, thus lending the watch its name. The watch was sold at an auction conducted by Christies and more information is available here.
7. Cartier Eagle Bangle Watch
Price of watch: $466,944
While the dial of the watch is set with diamonds, the hour marker at 12 features a beautiful emerald. Meanwhile, the bangle of the watch is in the shape of an eagle, is made out of 18K gold and is set with diamonds as well while the eyes of the eagle are made out of orange diamonds. It was sold by Sotheby’s in 2012.
6. Cartier ‘The Billekin’ Desk Timepiece
Price of watch: $482,500
Cartier has never been afraid of experimenting and this watch is a prime example. The watch itself features 10 jewels, but it is the figure of a Billiken at the top of the watch whose eyes are made out of eye-catching diamonds, no pun intended. It was sold at an auction by Sotheby’s, details of which can be found here.
5. Cartier “Model A” Mystery Clock
Price of watch: $564,248
While the watch looks fairly simple at first glance, it actually feature diamond set hands and gold numerals, thus enhancing its value. It was sold at an auction by Christies in 2014.
4. Cartier “The Egyptian Temple Panther Portico Mystery Clock”
Price of watch: $623,489
15 jewels are set in this wondrous watch which feature a temple in which the dial is located. To further enhance the image, a panther made of gold, enamel and diamonds prowls the temple beneath the dial. The hands in the dial are made of gold, set with diamonds and have tips made of emeralds. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2013.
3. Cartier Panther Bangle Watch
Price of watch: $660,634
As the name tells us, the watch has a bangle in the form of a panther, which is made out of gold. The panther’s body is set throughout with diamonds and its eyes are made out of emeralds. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction.
2. Cartier “The Grand Mogul Pavilion Mystery Clock”
Price of watch: $747,156
Another watch which looks more like a model of architecture than a piece of equipment telling the time, the watch features hands made out of emeralds, gold, diamonds and rubies. 4 gold columns support the pavilion while the dome is made of emerald and gold. The elephant next to the pavilion has been covered with rubies and emeralds. It was sold at a Sotheby’s auction.
1. Cartier “Flamingo and Lotus Automaton Clock”
Price of watch: $1,241,825
The most expensive Cartier watch in the world, it features a base made of gold on top of which stands a flamingo covered in diamonds and rubies, next to a lotus made of gold and set with diamonds to reveal the dial. It was sold at a Christies auction.