Art Deco 1925 Japonism Enameled Travel Clock In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds
A travel clock designed by Cress Arrow Co.
An incredible travel-desk clock, created in America during the art deco period by the jewelry and luxury watches makers Cress Arrow Co., back in the 1925. This fabulous flamboyant piece is a truly magnificent work of Art Deco jewelry art and has been crafted with very elegant Japonism patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with accents in platinum for the setting of the diamonds.
The piece is decorated in both sides with abstract images of the Japan national tree of the cherry blossom, entirely embellished with applications of blue, black and rose enamels.
It is fitted with a slider mechanism to discover the dial and stand in the desk. The movement is Swiss, mechanical hand winding. The dial is silver with platinum arabic numbers and arrows, signed Swiss.
Japonesque, Japonism or Japonaiserie are French terms that refers to the popularity and influence of Japanese art and design among a number of Western European artists during the late 19th century, the art nouveau and the art deco period.
Diamonds: The platinum arabic numbers and the arrows are with 144 old European rose cut diamonds, 1.08 carats, E/F color, VS-1 clarity.
Weight: 109.35 Grams, (70.09 Dwt).
Measurements: 57 mm by 45 mm by 9 mm (2.24 x 1.77 x 0.35 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's monogram mark, the reference serial numbers, the gold assay marks and signed, "CRESSARROW 18K 63086-086".
The Cressarrow Company
Was originally formed as a jewelry manufacturer in Newark New Jersey in 1890 as the N.E. Whiteside & Co and was succeeded by Whiteside and Blank in 1903. The firm manufactured 14 carat brooches, scarf pins, sleeve buttons, studs, and bracelets, accented with enamel. Later they produced high quality jewelry in platinum. The United States Patent and Trademark Office registration indicates that the C with the arrow through it was first used for brooches, cuff-buttons, pendants, necklaces and rings by the original firm beginning in 1890. In 1911, the company was awarded the exclusive licence to sell the expansion bracelet that had been invented in Germany. The venture became immediately successful and Whiteside and Blank devoted more and more time to the watch business, becoming the first in the United States to make wrist watches for ladies, diamond watches, sautoir watches, ring watches, watches with diamond crystals, and watches with colored gemstones. They first used the word and logo "Cresarrow" in 1912 according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In 1912 Henry Blank journeyed to Europe to conduct the customary dealings with watch movement manufacturers in Switzerland and stone dealers in Paris, Belgium and Amsterdam. Henry Blank returned on the Titanic and survived the sinking.
Newton Whiteside left the business in 1917 and the firm became Henry Blank & Co. Henry Blank & Co supplied jewellery to such firms as Raymond Yard; Shreve, Crump and Low; Black, Starr and Frost; Oscar Heyman & Co; Grant A. Peacock; Neiman Marcus; and Tiffany & Co., as well as selling there own line of jewelry through retailers across the United States. Quite often the jewelry supplied to specialist retailers did not carry the firms trademark. Henry Blank & Co may have supplied watches to some of these firms, also with or without the firms trademark on the case. Cresarrow cases with Tiffany on the dial can regularly be found and Cooksey Shugart shows two International Watch Company watches signed "Yard" on the dial, one of which is in platinum. Henry Blank & Co did produce high quality platinum jewelry and may have made these cases. Deitz (who had access to the company records) indicates that Cresarrow cases were sold under the names of C.H. Meylan and International Watch Company. C.H. Meylan were producers of high quality watches. Examples of Art Deco watches in platinum with the movement by C.H. Meylan and the dial signed Yard exist. There are also pocket watches with the movement by C.H. Meylan and the dial signed Black, Starr and Frost, who Henry Blank & Co supplied with jewelry.
They was based in Newark New Jersey, they was one of the best case manufacturers of the day. Founded by Henry Blank in the late nineteenth century, Cresarrow contracted with Patek Philippe, Vacheron & Constantin, Tiffany & Co. and other firms to build some of their wristwatches cases for the U.S. market. Cresarrow also supplied movements for Tiffany and Cartier watches, as is the case with this special watch. Evidence suggests the company worked in collaboration with C.H. Meylan, a high grade manufacturer, and IWC Schaffhausen for production of their movements.
Note: The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or "Sakura," is an important flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a symbol with rich meaning in Japanese culture.
Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this clock is very good. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. Enamel has been professionally restored in Paris in two spots at the sides. All diamonds are secured in the settings and has been carefully inspected to guarantee the authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P120822CNNM/2.628
