Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, May 10, 2020

LOT 192

Cartier - “Crash Watch, 1991”; limited edition of 400 pieces; 18K yellow gold

HKD 150,000 - 200,000

USD 19,300 - 25,700 / EUR 18,000 - 24,000 / CHF 19,300 - 25,700

Sold: HKD 812,500

18K yellow gold, manual-winding, vertical asymmetrical “Crash”-shaped, lady’s wristwatch, with case-back screwed by four screws on the case-band, “Vendôme”-type hooded lugs, ivory colour dial with exaggerated distorted radial Roman numerals, secret Cartier signature at 7, cabochon sapphire-set crown.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2 *
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Brand Cartier, Paris

Model “Crash Watch, 1991”

Year Circa 1991

Case No. A 108 424

Material 18K yellow gold

Bracelet black crocodile leather Cartier strap

Buckle 18K yellow gold Cartier “Crash” deployant clasp

Caliber 160, 5’’’ ¾, oval

Height 39 mm.

Width 22 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories original fitted box, certificate of origin, instruction booklet

Notes

The original Certificate mentioned that this watch was sold on March 29, 1992.
--
Cartier, “Crash Watch”
The “Crash” model was launched in late-1967 by Cartier, London. According to one story, a Vice-President of Cartier London was involved in a car crash and ensuing fire. His watch, a Cartier “Baignoire Allongée”, melted from exposure to high temperatures, coming to resemble the surrealistic watch in the Salvador Dali painting, The Persistence of Memory (1931, oil on canvas, 24.1 x 33 cm.; New York, Museum of Modern Art, MoMa, Floor 5, 517, The Alfred H. Barr, Jr. Galleries, Inv. 162.1934).
This inspired Cartier designers to create the psychedelic “Crash Watch”. Only about twenty original watches of this model are known, with dials signed “Cartier / London”. This model is one of the most iconic watches made by the legendary jeweller; a legend born in the “Swinging London” of the 1960’s.
In 1991, a limited edition of 400 examples was released; the modern version is marked “Paris” on the dial and case-back. The deployant buckle designed for the series also looks like it was in a crash.
Theses watches were exclusively sold in the London Cartier boutique with multiple-year waitlists.
In 1993, a special platinum edition was made for the Geneva Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH).
In 2001, Cartier launched the 18K pink gold and 18K white gold versions, with diamond-set bezels, Ref. 2463.
Bibliography

Barracca, Jader, & Negretti, G., & Nencini, F., Le Temps de Cartier, p. 295.