Rare Italian Goldsmith Vintage Cartier Les Must 18k Solid Gold Lighter With Box

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Rare Italian Goldsmith Vintage Cartier Les Must 18k Solid Gold Lighter With Box:
$8800.00

Cartier Paris ‘Les Must’ Lighter — Factory Solid 18k Gold (1970s Vintage)

Serial Number: 52385 (Engraved on Base)

Hallmarks: Stamped 750 / 18K Gold Assay Marks + Historic 1 TO Maker’s Mark

Includes: Original Vintage Cartier Fitted Red Presentation Box with Gold Foil Trim

OVERVIEW & COLLECTOR’S NOTE

Up for sale is an extraordinary 1970s vintage Cartier Paris "Les Must" oval lighter in pristine working condition.

Unlike the vast majority of vintage Cartier lighters listed online (which are standard gold-plated brass), this exceptional piece is crafted from Factory Solid 18k Gold. Weighing a heavy ~89 grams, it serves as both a high-end luxury functional object and a solid gold investment piece.

ITALIAN GOLDSMITIHING PEDIGREE: THE HISTORIC "1 TO" HALLMARK

The base plate and lower outer casing feature the rare and highly coveted 1 TO official hallmark cartouche. In Italian precious metal regulation:

1 = Workshop #1 (the first registered gold license in the province)
TO = Torino (Turin), Italy

This hallmark identifies the craftsman as Antica Ditta Marchisio (founded in 1860), Turin's oldest registered master gold atelier. Renowned for manufacturing high-jewelry and solid gold objects for premier Maisons like Cartier, Marchisio’s workshop was celebrated for handcrafting gold from ingot to finished piece. In the 1990s, this historic "1 TO" workshop evolved into the world-famous Italian luxury house Mattioli Gioielli.

The oval silhouette and diamond-cut guilloché woven texture also reflect the bold aesthetic revolution brought to Cartier in the 1970s by legendary Italian-born jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo (creator of the Cartier Love and Juste un Clou collections).

ITEM SPECIFICATIONS

Brand: Cartier Paris
Model: Les Must Oval Lighter
Material: Factory Solid 18k Yellow Gold (750 Purity Hallmarks Stamped)
Serial Number: 52385
Master Goldsmith Mark: 1 TO (Antica Ditta Marchisio / Turin, Italy)
Pattern / Finish: Woven Diamond-Cut Guilloché
Dimensions: 70 mm (H) x 25 mm (W) x 12 mm (D)
Total Weight: ~89 Grams
Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition
Fuel / Ignition: Standard Butane / Standard 5mm Flint Wheel

CONDITION DETAILS

Lighter Body: Pristine cosmetic condition with crisp, sharp texturing. Free of deep scratches, dents, or heavy wear.
Base Plate: Clear, crisp serial number (52385), intact fold-out key, and visible official 18k / 750 gold hallmarks alongside the 1 TO maker's mark.
Presentation Box: Original red Cartier box with velvet interior lining and gold border foil trim. Displays minor vintage corner patina as expected for a 1970s box.

SHIPPING & SECURITY TERMS

Express Courier: Ships via Express Courier with full declared value insurance coverage.
Adult Signature Required: Direct adult signature strictly required upon delivery. Shipping to confirmed buyer addresses only (No P.O. Boxes).
Fuel Safety: The lighter will be completely emptied of gas prior to shipment in compliance with hazardous material shipping regulations.
Fraud Protection: Serial number (52385) and the entire packing/boxing process are video-recorded prior to courier handoff.

Please review all photos carefully. Feel free to message with any questions or requests for specific additional angles prior to purchasing.