Cartier · Cristallor

Cristallor, Small Model, 18k Yellow Gold

Ref. 78095c. 1970s–early 1980s

The Cartier Cristallor Ref. 78095 is the small Cristallor: a 24 × 30 mm 18k yellow gold case built up in three stepped tiers, with a white Paris dial, hand-wound on the Cal. 2512 and dated c. 1970s–early 1980s.

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Two sales of Ref. 78095 in the last five years

  • Apr 2026Monaco Legend AuctionsLot 16, Exclusive Timepieces, Monaco, 25 Apr 2026. Small Cristallor, 18k yellow gold, 24 × 30 mm, white Paris dial with Roman numerals, manual cal. 2512, case no. 392, leather strap; no box or papers listed. Result (Premium), so the figure includes the buyer's premium.$11,700
  • Jul 2023Antiquorum MonacoLot 67, Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Monaco, 25 Jul 2023. Cristallor, 18k yellow gold, 24 × 30 mm, ivory dial, ETA 2512 manual wind, 18k gold Cartier deployant clasp; grade AA, overhaul recommended. Antiquorum's Sold figure includes the buyer's premium. The lot title prints Ref. 25720, but the case number and size are those of the small Cristallor. Reference read from the case number 780950699.$7,450

Two sales are a rough guide. See them in the calculator.

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Specifications

Reference
78095
Small model, 18k yellow gold, manual wind
Year
c. 1970s–early 1980s
Monaco Legend dates its example to the 1970s and writes that the Cristallor was born in the early 1970s and that production is believed to have ended by the early 1980s; Bachmann & Scher dates one to 1975 and Antiquorum one to circa 1970–1980
Movement
Manual-wind
Cal. 2512, 17 jewels
Case
24 × 30 mm, 18k Yellow Gold
Rectangle with cut corners, built up in three stepped tiers
Dial
White
Roman numerals, signed Paris; Antiquorum describes one as ivory
Hands
Blued steel
Sword-shaped, per Monaco Legend
Crystal
Not confirmed
Bachmann & Scher lists sapphire glass; the auction catalogs consulted do not give the type
Strap
Leather
Antiquorum records an 18k yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp

Visual Description

The Ref. 78095 is the small Cristallor, a 24 × 30 mm case in 18k yellow gold. Monaco Legend writes that it takes the rectangular form and sculpts it into three ascending tiers, and Antiquorum describes a vertical rectangle with cut corners.

The dial is white with Roman numerals and signed Paris; Antiquorum describes one as ivory. Monaco Legend notes sword hands and Bachmann & Scher blued steel hands. Monaco Legend's example came on a leather strap, and Antiquorum's with an 18k yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp.

Reference Significance

The 78095 is the smaller of the two Cristallor sizes. At 24 × 30 mm it is 4 mm narrower and 5 mm shorter than the Ref. 78096, which Sotheby's catalogs as the Cristallor Jumbo at 28 × 35 mm. Analog/Shift has sold the smaller size as the Cristallor Junior.

Every 78095 in the records consulted is 18k yellow gold with a white dial and a hand-wound Cal. 2512, which Antiquorum names as the ETA 2512. No white gold example is documented.

Historical Context

Monaco Legend writes that the Cristallor was born in the early 1970s within the Louis Cartier Collection, and that production is believed to have ended by the early 1980s. The dated examples fall in that window: Bachmann & Scher dates its 78095 to 1975, Monaco Legend its own to the 1970s and Antiquorum one to circa 1970 to 1980.

What to Look For

Start with the case back. The case number should begin with 78095, as on the 780950699 that Antiquorum recorded; Monaco Legend printed only the serial, 392. Antiquorum's catalog title gave that watch as Ref. 25720, but its case number, size and Cristallor model line are those of the 78095, so go by the number on the case rather than a catalog heading.

The movement should be a hand-wound Cal. 2512, and Monaco Legend and Antiquorum record case, dial and movement as signed. Expect a white dial with Roman numerals, signed Paris. Check the edges of the three tiers, which show any polishing, and measure the case: 24 × 30 mm is the 78095, and 28 × 35 mm is the Jumbo.

Known Variants

Documented dial, case, and bracelet variations of Ref. 78095.

18k Yellow Gold, White Paris Dial

White dial with Roman numerals, signed Paris, and a hand-wound Cal. 2512 with 17 jewels. The configuration cataloged by Monaco Legend and Antiquorum and sold by Bachmann & Scher; Antiquorum describes its dial as ivory.

c. 1970sThe only configuration in the auction and dealer records consulted; no white gold 78095 is documented

How to tell it apart

What separates a Ref. 78095 from its neighbors, and what to check before you buy or sell one.

What is a Cartier Cristallor Ref. 78095 worth?

Archiva has found two public sales of Ref. 78095 in the last five years: $11,700 at Monaco Legend Auctions in April 2026 and $7,450 at Antiquorum Monaco in July 2023. Two sales are a rough guide, not a market price.

What is the Cartier Cristallor Ref. 78095?

The small Cristallor: a 24 × 30 mm case in 18k yellow gold, built up in three stepped tiers, with a white dial, Roman numerals and a Paris signature, and a hand-wound Cal. 2512 with 17 jewels. Monaco Legend and Antiquorum have cataloged it, and Bachmann & Scher has sold one dated 1975.

How is the 78095 different from the Cristallor Jumbo Ref. 78096?

By size. Sotheby's catalogs the Cristallor Jumbo, Ref. 78096, at 28 × 35 mm, also in 18k yellow gold with a hand-wound movement; the 78095 measures 24 × 30 mm. Measure the case and read the number on the back rather than judging by eye. Analog/Shift has sold a 24 × 30 mm Cristallor, without a reference, as the Cristallor Junior.

What should the case back of a 78095 read?

A case number that begins with 78095, like the 780950699 that Antiquorum recorded on one example; Monaco Legend printed only the serial, 392, for its example. Antiquorum's catalog title gave that watch as Ref. 25720, but its case number, its 24 × 30 mm size and its Cristallor model line all match the 78095.

What movement is in the 78095?

A hand-wound Cal. 2512 with 17 jewels. Monaco Legend catalogs it as the cal. 2512 and Antiquorum as the ETA 2512, and both record the case, dial and movement as signed.

What should I check before buying a 78095?

A case number that begins with 78095; a hand-wound Cal. 2512 with case, dial and movement signed; a white dial with Roman numerals signed Paris; the edges of the three stepped tiers, which show any polishing; and a gold Cartier clasp or buckle, like the 18k yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp Antiquorum recorded on one example.

Other Cristallor References

Ref. 78096Photograph wanted
Ref. 78096

Cristallor Jumbo, 18k Gold

18k Yellow Gold or 18k White Gold · c. 1973–early 1980s

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