Cartier Ermeto

Cartier
Ermeto
Sterling silver 0.935
Semi-automatic
1929
15 Jewels 
Movement cal. Movado 11 SP
Swiss Made
62/42 x 25 x 11.5mm 

This Ermeto was especially made for Cartier by Movado, so not surprisingly it carries a Movado movement caliber 11SP this semi-automatic movement is wound by opening and closing the watch case, Movado patented this ingenious winding system in 1928.
The so called ‘baby’ Ermeto’s were originally designed to be integrated in ladies’ purses.
These small pocket/travel watches were meant to be worn in your pocket, yet not to be forgotten when wash time comes around 🙄
The case is sterling silver, the 0.935 hallmark is partially visible in the close-up.
The width of the case closed 42 mm, opened 62 mm, the height 25 mm and the depth near the center is approximately 11.5 mm.

On the blown-up photo of the dial, along the top edge you can see the patent numbers:
‘US. Pat.1. 707906’ and according to these numbers is it dates from the 2^nd of April 1929.

The cathedral style blued steel watch hands are typical for Movado Ermeto’s of this age.

The watch is as found, original and unpolished, only the movement has received a full overhaul.

I almost forgot to mention the engravement, on the back which undoubtedly belonged to the
Solomon Elsner 1883-1962 Hartford Connecticut US.
His astonishing achievements/career consist of:
- education Yale University
- a Fire Commissioner 1912-1919
- Prosecuting Attorney, City of Hartford 1919-1921
- Judge, Police Court, Hartford, Connecticut 1921-1923
- one of the founders of University of Hartford
- Director, state Farm for Women since 1925
- Corporation Counsel, Hartford, since 1930
- Chairman of the National Executive Board of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations

Who knows what exciting places it has been and seen, we can only imagine.