The first room titled "Precious Time" provides an overview of Cartier's watches and clocks all the way from 1874 to the mid-20th century.
There is an eclectic but interesting and significant selection of timepieces on display here including the earliest known Cartier timepiece, various guilloche enamel objects and the clever magnetic clock. Early Santos, Tank and Panther watches are also on show.
No. 4 - the earliest known Cartier timepiece, dating from 1874
Early Santos watches
Magnetic clock on the left
Comet clocks created by Maurice Couet, the one at the top with three sub-dials, featuring full calendar and petite sonnerie is one of the most complicated Cartier clocks known.
The first Panthere watch - though this looks more like a Dalmatian watch to me
Objects in guilloche enamel popular in Russia in the 19th century, also known as Faberge style
Some less attractive 20th century items
Some items in ivory