If is regarded as the master of watch design, the Crash is Cartier’s masterwork. One of the most collectible watches on the planet, the Crash exudes an aura of mystery and legend unlike any other.
Since the introduction of the Crash in 1967, the elusive watch has enjoyed a special place in Cartier’s catalog, both extremely rare, and highly coveted. Until just a few years ago, the true story of the Crash was unknown. Dozens of legends emerged explaining the origins of this almost mythical design. Some claimed that the Crash was inspired by the paintings of Salvador Dali, a brilliant Spanish surrealist artist known for his eclectic paintings of melting watches with distorted, asymmetrical case shapes. Others suggested that the Crash was actually influenced by a destroyed Cartier Maxi Oval, tragically devastated by a fatal car fire.
Unfortunately for the more imaginative among us, the truth is quite a bit less exciting. The granddaughter of Jean-Jacques Cartier, Francesca Cartier Breckell, revealed that Jean-Jacques and famous designer Rupert Emerson wanted to modernize a Cartier design to suit the emerging psychedelic era of fashion and culture. The result was the Cartier Crash, a modified Maxi Oval. The Crash, with its asymmetrical, whimsical case design, flowing lines, and elegant incongruity has since become a cultural fascination. The mystery of the Crash certainly added a zero or two to the price tag, but at the end of the day, with soaring demand, Cartier had only made a few hundred pieces total. The Crash was always designed to be a rare gem for the distinguished few. A number of celebrities have owned the Crash, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Timothee Chalamet, and Elton John.
This particular example is one of the rarest iterations of the Crash. Likely a special order from the Paris boutique in the 1990s, this watch features a pave case and diamond crown. As a result of the non-uniform geometry of the case, there are always diamonds catching the light from one of the many angles of the case. This makes this particular variant one of the most vibrant diamond-set watches on the market. The crown is also set with a diamond cabochon rather than the conventional blue sapphire. This piece is set on a brown strap and completed with a correct deployant clasp and comes with a Cartier box and matching certificate dating this piece to 1997.
The ultimate collector’s Cartier, owning a Crash will make you the envy of every Cartier collector in the world. These watches never last long before they’re snatched by Cartier geeks, so if you want one, speak now or forever hold your peace!