What does Mecan mean?

[Tpeterson.mgb]

I had someone show me a hallmark on a silver colored piece of jewelry. It was a thick bracelet with the persons name like an ID Name Bracelet. Said he received it as a gift when he lived in Paris. It was hallmarked "Mecan" and I was able to test it with 18k solution and it tested silver. But what does Mecan mean? Does anyone know where this comes from? I google searched it and nothing came up.

[spobby]

I have a pair of 'Mecan' silver cufflinks.
I believe Mecan is/was a French jewellry designer.
regards
John

[IreneBlack]

I've looked for the answer to this for quite some time and inadvertently found the answer yesterday. I found it on page 248 of the book 'Cartier 1900-1939'. It is in the description of a clip brooch made by the Cartier Paris workshop in 1931: "MARKS Clip: edge of clip fitting engraved Cartier Paris Londres New York, MADE IN FRANCE and DEPOSE, with MECAN (for 'Mecanisme', indicating the use of base metal parts) inside the clip fitting". So there you have it!

[oel]

HI Irene, thanks for sharing this information .

Peter.