Antique Cartier Amande Wristwatch Circa 1919

18k yellow gold and platinum, weighing 16.7 grams. Case measures 15.7 x 11 mm with a 27 mm lug-to-lug length. Fits an approximately 7 inch wrist, and can be adjusted or change band upon discussion request. Signed Cartier dial with blued steel hands, exposed balance aperture at 6 o’clock, numbered deployant clasp, and running condition. Named after the French word for almond, this model takes its name from its distinctive almond-shaped case. Produced circa 1918 to 1920, it is believed that only around 30 examples were made. More than a century later, surviving examples are exceptionally difficult to find, and examples that remain in running condition are rarer still. The exposed balance aperture allows the movement to become part of the design itself, while the sculptural lugs and elongated case create a watch that feels remarkably modern for its era. When production numbers are this low, comparable sales become nearly impossible to track, and opportunities to acquire one are few and far between. One of the rarest early Cartier wristwatch designs and a serious piece for the collector of important Cartier timepieces.