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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Cartier Montre Couteau Minute-Repeating Pocket Watch, Ref. 5894

Partially verified

This Cartier Montre Couteau pocket watch is a keyless, minute-repeating timepiece. Attributed to the circa 1910 period, the watch features an 18-carat yellow gold knife-edge case, which measures approximately 49 mm in diameter and has a gross weight of 64 grams. The case includes an oval bow and exhibits a white enamel 'MS' monogram on the case back. It is equipped with a 15-ligne, jewelled, hand-wound movement with a minute-repeating mechanism. The gilded dial displays black Arabic numerals, blued steel Breguet-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The auction report notes the presence of a French eagle hallmark within the case. The watch is provided without any original box or associated documentation.

Front view of the Cartier Montre Couteau pocket watch showing the gold dial, blued Breguet hands, and subsidiary seconds.
Front view of the Cartier Montre Couteau pocket watch showing the gold dial, blued Breguet hands, and subsidiary seconds. — Dawsons Auctioneers. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Cartier
Reference
5894
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1910
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
3454

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 is housed in an 18-carat yellow gold knife-edge case, measured at approximately 49 mm in diameter. The rear of the case is decorated with a monogram, 'MS', executed in white enamel. The construction includes an oval bow for suspension. The auction description notes the presence of a French eagle hallmark inside the case.

The dial is finished in a gilded tone and incorporates black Arabic numerals. Time is indicated by blued Breguet-style hands. A secondary dial for subsidiary seconds is positioned at the six o'clock location. The overall condition is described as showing wear, including scratches, signs of use, and minor degradation to the dial's gilded finish and the blue coating on the hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب لبه‌چاقویی از طلای زرد ۱۸ عیار، آویز بیضی‌شکل و نشان عقاب فرانسوی در داخل قاب و پشت آن توصیف شده است”
  • “پشت قاب مونوگرام MS با مینای سفید دارد”
  • “صفحه طلاکاری‌شده، اعداد عربی سیاه، عقربه‌های آبی Breguet و ثانیه‌شمار فرعی در موقعیت ساعت ۶ دارد”

Movement and Functionality

The timepiece is powered by a 15-ligne jewelled movement that utilizes a keyless, hand-wound system. The watch includes an integrated minute-repeating mechanism intended to audibly indicate the time.

According to the information provided by the auction house, both the primary timekeeping function and the minute-repeating mechanism were observed to be operational during an initial evaluation. The source notes that a long-term accuracy test has not been conducted and provides a recommendation for a full service to ensure optimal function.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور جواهردار با اندازه ۱۵ لین، کوک دستی بدون کلید و سازوکار تکرارکننده دقیقه توصیف شده است”
  • “به گفته حراج‌گذار، ساعت و تکرارکننده هنگام ارزیابی کار می‌کردند؛ آزمایش طولانی‌مدت انجام نشده و دقت تضمین نشده است”

Condition and Provenance

The auction description provides a status report identifying surface-level wear, including scratches, dents, and signs of consistent handling. Specific mentions include loss of blue color on the minute hand and abrasion around the case opening grooves.

A narrative concerning the watch's history suggests a previous ownership by a financial advisor to Tsar Nicholas II, claiming the family exited St. Petersburg in 1920 with this item. The auction house explicitly states that this anecdotal provenance lacks independent verification and is provided as information reported by the seller.

Evidence for this section
  • “گزارش وضعیت از خط‌وخش، ساییدگی و فرورفتگی‌های متناسب با عمر و استفاده، فرسودگی طلاکاری صفحه و خراش اطراف عقربه‌ها و ثانیه‌شمار خبر می‌دهد”
  • “منبع اصالت اجزا، حکاکی‌ها یا نبود قطعات تعویضی را تضمین نمی‌کند”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer or caliber type of the 15-ligne movement used by Cartier in this reference?
  • Can the 'MS' monogram on the case back be linked to the cited historical provenance of the Tsar's financial advisor?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cartier Montre Couteau Minute-Repeating Pocket Watch, Ref. 5894
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCartier“Cartier”
Case Material18-carat yellow gold“طلای زرد ۱۸ عیار”
Movement Size15 ligne“۱۵ لین”
DiameterApproximately 49 mm“قطر تقریبی ۴۹ میلی‌متر”
Weight64 grams“۶۴ گرم”

Visible details

  • Case features an oval-shaped bow suspension
  • Case back is engraved with a white enamel monogram
  • Dial includes a subsidiary seconds register at the six o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • The source does not provide independent confirmation of the provenance narrative concerning Tsar Nicholas II's advisor.
  • The source does not guarantee the authenticity of individual parts, engravings, or original condition.

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی Cartier Montre Couteau تکرارکننده دقیقه رفرنس ۵۸۹۴

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 03524ca421

Terms in this record

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

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