Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

Hong Kong, Jun 08, 2008

LOT 376

Crash 1991 Cartier, Paris, ?Crash?, No. 140, A 108436. Made in a limited edition of 400 pieces in 1991. Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold, asymmetrical wristwatch with an 18K yellow gold Cartier ?Crash? deployant clasp. Accompanied by the Cartier certificate and booklet.

HKD 85,000 - 100,000

USD 11,000 - 13,000 / EUR 7,000 - 8,000

Sold: HKD 144,000

C. Asymmetric, polished and brushed, cabochon sapphire-set winding crown, Vendômetype hooded lugs, the back secured with four screws in the band. D. Matte off-white with painted radial exaggerated Roman numerals, secret signature at 7. Blued steel épée hands. M. Cal. 5 3/4"', oval, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self compensating flat balance-spring. Dial and case signed. Dim. 22 x 39 mm. Thickness 8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The ?Crash? launched in late 1967, with a limited edition of 400 examples released in 1991. According to one story, a Vice President of Cartier London was involved in a car crash and ensuing fire. His watch, a Cartier Bagnoire Alongee, melted from exposure to high temperatures, coming to resemble the surrealistic watch in a Salvador Dali painting. This inspired Cartier designers to create the "Crash", which was an instant success. The modern versions are marked "Paris" on the dial and case back. The deployant buckle designed for the series also looks like it was in a crash. In 1993, a special platinum edition was made for the Geneva Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH).