J.P. Morgan Jr.’s Watches Emerge, Including First-Ever Cartier Mystery Clock
Philips' upcoming auction in Geneva will feature two remarkable timepieces once owned by John Pierpont Morgan Jr., the heir to a financial empire and the first chairman of JPMorganChase. Among the items is the first-ever Cartier mystery clock, a Model A sold to Morgan in 1913, which showcases a unique design that makes the hands appear to float within its rock crystal case. The clock's innovative mechanism was developed by clockmaker Maurice Coüet and is complemented by its luxurious nephrite jade base. The auction estimate for this exceptional piece ranges from CHF 300,000 to 600,000. The second item is a Charles Frodsham pocket watch, one of a series commissioned by the Morgan firm as gifts for partners and associates. Presented in 1922 to a young partner, Elliot C. Bacon, this highly complicated watch features a split-seconds chronograph and tourbillon, reflecting the high standards of craftsmanship characteristic of the era. With an estimated value of CHF 70,000 to 140,000, both timepieces embody the legacy of Jack Morgan's discerning taste in horology and the historical significance of the Morgan family's influence in the world of finance.
