‘Partners’ clock by Cartier, Paris

A highly unusual ‘partners’ clock, the arched body in gilded bronze, with clock face to both sides for ‘partners’ sitting opposite each other, both clock faces with identical Art Nouveau numerals and gilt detailing with delicate pierced hands. Marked CARTIER to each face, and incorporating an 8-day Swiss mechanical movement, and set on a broad, pale green onyx plinth. French circa 1930s, complete with Cartier presentation case.

Height of clock: 6½ inches (19 cm).

Double-sided clocks such as this one came to be known as ‘partners’ clocks as they could be used on a ‘partner’-style desk, one with a common knee-hole where associates in business would work facing each other. A great example of this style of desk can be seen in the 1941 Humphrey Bogart film, ‘The Maltese Falcon’, in the office of private detective Sam Spade.

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