Phillips to Offer Cartier Portico Clock in Geneva
The rare Cartier Portico Mystery Clock No. 4 is set to be auctioned in Geneva on November 7 and 8.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Jewelry
Phillips will offer Cartier Portico Mystery Clock No. 4 as Lot 220 at Geneva Watch Auction XXIV on November 7 and 8 at the Hotel President. The clock is estimated at CHF 1.8 million to CHF 3.6 million and returns to auction for the first time since 1996.
Why it matters
Only six Portico clocks were made by Cartier between 1923 and 1925, making each appearance at auction a rare opportunity for collectors. The clock is the only one of the six with a six-sided dial, a distinguishing feature for buyers.
The clock stands 38.5 centimeters tall and weighs 10.6 kilograms, with a hand-wound movement made by the European Watch & Clock Co. It comes with a Cartier certificate from 2002, and its pre-auction estimate equals roughly $2.19 million to $3.9 million.
The players
Phillips
Phillips is a major international auction house known for selling high-value watches, clocks, and other luxury collectibles.
Cartier
Cartier is a French luxury jewelry and watchmaking house founded in 1847, renowned for its historic timepieces.
The details
The clock features a carved rock-crystal dial hanging between two crystal columns trimmed in black enamel, with the hand-wound movement housed in the arch above rather than a base. It will be on view from November 4 to 7 before the sale.
Timeline
1923-1925: Cartier produces six Portico clocks.
1996: The clock is last sold at a Geneva auction.
May 2025: Portico No. 3 sells in Geneva for CHF 3,932,000.
November 7-8: Geneva Watch Auction XXIV takes place at the Hotel President.
Market Landscape
The offering follows Phillips' May 2025 Geneva sale of Portico No. 3 for CHF 3,932,000, which signals continued collector demand for rare Cartier clocks. Both sales place these scarce Portico pieces at the center of the high-end horological auction market.
Collectors and interested bidders can view the clock in person from November 4 to 7 before the auction. The sale is open to bidders willing to meet the CHF 1.8 million to CHF 3.6 million estimate range.
The takeaway
Rare pieces like the Portico clock often draw strong interest when they return to market after decades away. Prospective buyers should review the estimate, the provenance documentation, and the auction terms well before bidding opens.
What happens next
The Cartier Portico Mystery Clock No. 4 is scheduled to be offered as Lot 220 at Geneva Watch Auction XXIV on November 7 and 8 at the Hotel President.
Further reading
For more on collectible timepieces and jewelry, explore the Jewelry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by JCK.
