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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Octagonal wristwatch

Cartier Grande Octagonal Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Cartier Grande Octagonal wristwatch, dating to circa 1970, features an 18K yellow gold octagonal case. The watch was produced for the Cartier London boutique at 175 New Bond Street. Final assembly and regulation were performed by master watchmaker Eric Denton. The watch is powered by a manual-winding movement, identified as caliber P838, and is signed on the case, dial, and movement. The dial displays black Roman numerals within an octagonal frame. The 18K yellow gold case measures 33mm by 33mm. The watch is presented on a leather strap and includes a gold clasp repeating the case number. The interior of the case features English assay marks including the letter "p," which indicates production circa 1970.

Front view of the 18K yellow gold Cartier Grande Octagonal wristwatch.
Front view of the 18K yellow gold Cartier Grande Octagonal wristwatch. — Monaco Legend Group / Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Wristwatch · Octagonal wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Cartier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
206855788
Source-reported date
Circa 1970
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
9'042

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch features an octagonal case crafted from 18K yellow gold, measuring 33mm in width and length. The case was manufactured by the Wright & Davies workshop in Clerkenwell. The dial incorporates a classic Cartier aesthetic with black Roman numerals set within the octagonal geometry of the case, featuring blued hands.

The case interior contains English assay marks, including the letter "p", which are used to date the piece to approximately 1970. The case number 9'042 is engraved on the case and repeated on the matching gold clasp, confirming the consistency of these components.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case was manufactured by the renowned Clerkenwell workshop Wright & Davies”
  • “the interior of the case bears the classic hallmarks associated with Cartier London production, including the English assay mark with the letter “p”, indicating manufacture circa 1970”
  • “Case number 9042 is repeated on the clasp”

Movement and Assembly

The watch utilizes a manual-winding movement, identified as caliber P838, which is jeweled. The movement is signed, consistent with the signatures found on the dial and case. The total movement number is recorded as 1'862'279.

Final assembly and regulation of the movement were managed by Eric Denton, a watchmaker working within the Cartier London operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Manual, cal. P838, jewelled”
  • “Movement N°: 1'862'279”
  • “Final assembly and regulation were entrusted to Eric Denton, master watchmaker and a key figure within Cartier London during this golden era.”

Provenance and History

This watch was produced for the Cartier London boutique located at 175 New Bond Street. The production occurred during a period of creative output at the London branch under the direction of Jean-Jacques Cartier.

The watch is documented by the auction house Monaco Legend Group under the identifier 206855788. The attribution of the case and the London production context relies on the historical association of the model type with the specific workshop and boutique operations.

Evidence for this section
  • “produced for the Maison’s boutique at 175 New Bond Street under the visionary direction of Jean-Jacques Cartier”
  • “Listing object ID 206855788”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific production volume of the Cartier Grande Octagonal model during the London period?
  • Are there additional records linking the movement caliber P838 to other specific Cartier London models of the 1970s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cartier Grande Octagonal Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCartier“Cartier”
ModelGrande Octagonal“Grande Octagonal”
DateCirca 1970“Circa 1970”
Case Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold”
MovementManual, cal. P838“Manual, cal. P838”
Movement Number1'862'279“1'862'279”
Dimensions33mm width x 33mm length“33mm width x 33mm length”
Case MakerWright & Davies“The case was manufactured by the renowned Clerkenwell workshop Wright & Davies”

Visible details

  • Octagonal yellow gold case
  • Cream dial with black Roman numerals
  • Blue steel hands
  • Crown with inset stone

Research qualifications

  • Authentication of the individual type remains research-dependent
  • Specific manufacturing provenance is attributed by the source

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Wristwatch, Cartier Grande Octagonal, London, 1970

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c4fd915a03

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other octagonal wristwatch records