Sharon Chan
Head of department, Director of Watches, Asia
Sold for HK$1,274,000 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistHead of department, Director of Watches, Asia
The origin of Cartier Crash is considered one of the most mysterious story in watchmaking history. Some believe that its form came from a melted Cartier Baignoire. Others claim it was inspired by a mis-shapen watch that was saved from a car accident. No matter the truth, it does not affect the fact that Cartier Crash is an avant-garde work still now, and it is an object of desire.
The first batch of Cartier Crash was produced and sold exclusively at the Cartier Boutique London in 1967. Since then, just a small number of variants were produced over the following decades. The present watch was part of a limited edition that Cartier's Paris boutique released in 1991. Just 400 pieces were made and it is individually numbered 017 on its case back and Paris printed on the dial. After Cartier relocated its watchmaking manufacture to Switzerland, there will be no more Crash watches made with London/Paris dial. In a nicely preserved condition and its original presentation box accompanied, the present watch is one of the most attractive and collector-worthy Cartier wristwatches of all time.