Cartier's Mystery Clock, whose hands appear to float in mid-air as if by magic, was once an extremely expensive timepiece made for a limited number of clients, including royalty and aristocrats, and for a long time it was not noticed by ordinary watch enthusiasts. However, when it was put up for auction at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2022, it was sold for a record price, bringing its reputation to a new level. Sharon Chan, head of the watch department at Bonhams Hong Kong, talks about the history of this mysterious clock and its growing popularity.
Text by Sharon Chan (Bonhams Hong Kong)
[Article published on January 15, 2025]
The magic of floating time: Cartier's Mystery Clock
When you think of Cartier, what first comes to mind? Perhaps it's the Tutti Frutti, the luxury jewelry lavishly decorated with precious stones, or the iconic Tank with its rectangular case. Both are undoubtedly masterpieces.
But perhaps the clock that has most astonished people and still exudes a mysterious allure is the Mystery Clock. This piece, which combines exquisite craftsmanship, the beauty of jewellery and innovative watchmaking technology, continues to captivate people's hearts more than a century after its creation.
Mystery Clock born from a magician's idea
In 1912, Louis Cartier, the then head of the family, commissioned watchmaker Maurice Coué to create Cartier's unique mystery clock, based on an idea by French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. The hands are fixed between several transparent crystal plates, and the movement, including the gears, is hidden in the base.
When the movement was in operation, the gear train rotated the quartz crystal plate slightly, causing the hands to appear to float in the air and indicate the time. As soon as it was released, it was enthusiastically received by the upper class, and it is said that even Countess Grefful, who was hailed as "the most beautiful woman in Europe," and American financial magnate J.P. Morgan were captivated by it. In 1925, the luxury fashion magazine Gazette du Bon Ton praised it as "a miracle in the history of watches."
From a work of art reserved for a select few to a collector's piece
Historically, Cartier mystery clocks were reserved for royalty and high society figures, and did not attract much interest from watch collectors, but in recent years, collecting has expanded to include more unique and historically significant pieces such as mystery clocks.
Mystery Clocks are produced in extremely limited numbers, and each one is a testament to the craftsmanship they represent. Some are decorated with cloisonné paint, others incorporate Chinese jade, and even some are inspired by the torii gates of Japanese culture, all of which have elements that are sought after by modern collectors.
"Model A" I encountered in London
During a recent visit to London, I visited the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. One item that really caught my eye in the center of the exhibit was the "Model A" Mystery Clock.
The Model A refers to the earliest series produced and shares the same design as the original Mystery Clock. At the time, they were custom-made exclusively for royalty and aristocrats, including Queen Mary, wife of King George V of the United Kingdom. In other words, the Model A is not just a work of art, but a symbol of history and culture.
2022年には1928年製の初代モデルAがボナムズ香港で競売にかけられ、687万香港ドル（約1億3341万5400円、1香港ドル＝19.42円、2025年10月15日現在、手数料込み、以下同）で落札された。これは同モデルのオークション記録を更新するものであり、ミステリークロックがトップコレクター垂涎の的となったことを証明したのだ。
Cartier's "Model A" Mystery Clock was put up for auction at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2022. It was produced in very limited quantities, and each clock has different specifications. The base of this model is made of black onyx with a gold beaded border at the bottom. This clock was sold at the time for 687 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately 133,415,400 yen).
A rare gem that reappears on the market
The Model A Mystery Clock will be offered again at Bonhams' Hong Kong watch auction in November 2025. Its appearance is almost identical to the one on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It has a white onyx base, decorated with gold, platinum, and enamel, and the hands are set with diamonds.
The "Model A" will be put up for auction at Bonhams Hong Kong's special watch auction on November 25, 2025. Produced around 1918, it features a white onyx base and differs in some details from the one put up for auction in 2022. The estimated winning bid at auction is between HK$2 million and HK$4 million (approximately JPY 3884 million to JPY 7768 million).
The condition is also impeccable. For a true collector, collecting watches is not about showmanship, but about gaining a moving experience through the piece. This emotion comes from intricate handiwork, fantastic mechanisms, or historical memories. Rather than lining up numerous watches on a shelf, perhaps devoting one's heart and soul to a single museum-quality piece brings a deeper sense of satisfaction.
Author "Sharon Chan" Profile
Sharon Chan is Director of Bonhams' Watch Department in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, she works closely with offices across the Asia Pacific region and oversees the department's 10 auctions per year.
From 2017 to 18, Sharon Chan established herself as an independent watch dealer and client consultant, before returning to the auction business by joining Bonhams. Utilizing her extensive experience and wide-ranging personal connections, she has built a strong network with collectors around the world and is playing an important role in expanding the Asian watch market.
He has over 17 years of experience in the jewelry and watch auction business at various international auction houses, and from 2011 to 16 he oversaw the watch auction in Hong Kong, where he achieved year-on-year growth in sales, achieving the highest price for a watch sale in Asia in 13. He also oversaw one of the world's largest private watch collections, setting a new record of US$15 million at auction in 600.
