Visual Description
The Ref. 1070 is the small Panthère in 18k yellow gold, 22 × 30 mm and about 5 mm thick, with a case back secured by eight screws and a crown set with a cabochon. The case runs into an integrated gold bracelet that closes with a double folding clasp.
The dial is silvered, white, cream or ivory, with Roman numerals, a minute track and Cartier's secret signature at X, read by blued steel hands under a sapphire crystal. Most examples are plain gold; Antiquorum sold one with 62 diamonds on the bezel and lugs and a diamond-set crown.
Reference Significance
The 1070 is a small all-gold Panthère number documented from 1992 to about 2000. Its size, metal and movement match the small gold Panthères Archiva lists as the Ref. 8669, the Ref. 107000 and the Ref. 1280, so the number on the case back tells an owner which page is theirs. No source found explains how the numbers relate.
Historical Context
Cartier introduced the Panthère in 1983. Dated 1070s run from 1992 to about 2000: Bachmann & Scher dates examples to 1992, 1996 and 1998, the 1996 one with warranty papers of that year. Auction catalogs date later examples to about 2000.
What to Look For
Case back: It should read 1070, or 1070 2, with a serial beginning MG, as on the examples Artcurial and Sotheby's cataloged. A case back reading 107000M, 8669 or 1280 points to those pages.
Bracelet and clasp: The gold bracelet should have all its links and a double folding clasp that closes firmly.
Diamonds: On a diamond-set example, check that the setting on the bezel, lugs and crown is complete.
Movement: It should be quartz and running. Sotheby's catalogs the Cal. 157.06 on one example and the Cal. 154 on another, so a movement photograph shows which is fitted.
