There are few watch or jewellery houses with a substantial enough history to sustain an in-house antiques department. Cartier, fortunately, has history in troves. So in an anonymous and drab building in Geneva lies Cartier Tradition, entirely dedicated to restoring and selling vintage Cartier objects. It is headed by Bernhard Berger, who is at the same time a collector, antiques dealer and historian.
The hallway leading to the Cartier Tradition offices is lined with royal warrants from past clients
Cartier has had a long history selling vintage items, especially at its London store. In fact Cartier sometimes incorporated antique objects into its jewellery in the past.
Below: 1925 Cartier brooch incorporating Egyptian artefact
With an average of 500 items in stock, ranging from small objects to mystery clocks with seven figure price tags, Cartier Tradition typically displays its items at the Cartier boutiques in London, Paris and New York.
Ultra-rare Mystery Clock Model A decorated with Kingfisher feathers
Cartier Tradition obtains its stock from dealers, collectors and on occasion at auction. Though it uses auction prices as a guide, its prices are typically higher than market average, reflecting the quality and assurance of buying from Cartier.
All items from Cartier Tradition are restored and certified by Cartier. To that end Cartier Tradition has three full time watchmakers doing restoration. The watchmakers are also capable of making simple parts for restoration thanks to the lathes on the premises. More complex restoration can be done at the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Above: Mehdi Sqalli from Cartier Paris (left) and Bernhard Berger of Cartier Tradition
Mr Berger's vintage Tank
What it sells is certainly not for everyone, but for a very specific clientele Cartier Tradition plays a very valuable role. For collectors of its vintage Cartier seeking items of the highest quality and impeccable provenance Cartier Tradition is the ideal purveyor.
- SJX
Here is a sample of what Cartier Tradition had in stock during my visit last year, this is not a reflection of current availability.
The wristwatches...
Several vintage Tank watches with original gold bracelets
The clocks...
Note the EWC engraving below
And a pair of works in progress - an ultra-slim chronograph and a JLC 101 micro-calibre
The chonograph with an beautiful EWC ebauche
Note the elegant shape of the bridges and levers
Ultra-slim
And the smallest mechanical movement ever
This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-06-04 10:04:53