2852 - Cartier, exceptionally rare and extravagant “Crash,” limited to 400 pieces, 1991.

Cartier, exceptionally rare and extravagant “Crash,” limited to 400 pieces, 1991. 18K yellow gold. D 23 × 39 mm. Certificate: W1506351 Provenance: 360.91 – A109169, screw-down case with limited-edition number 360-91, crown with sapphire cabochon, mineral crystal Exhibited: Very well-preserved silvered dial with black lacquered Roman numerals, signed “Cartier” and “Paris” Exhibited: Manual-winding movement Literature: Cartier crocodile leather strap with original Cartier Crash gold folding clasp Original box with outer box and warranty papers, certificate, instruction manual, and purchase receipt The origins of the “Crash,” an extraordinary creation, remained a mystery for many years, giving rise to a number of romantic legends. Some suggested that a distorted ‘Maxi Baignoire Allongée’, or even a watch damaged in a car accident involving a Cartier executive, had inspired the design; others pointed to Salvador Dalí’s melting clocks. In her 2019 book *The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire*, Francesca Cartier Brickell explains the true story, tracing the watch’s development through family archives. Jean-Jacques Cartier set out to design a wristwatch that embodied the inventiveness and rebellious spirit of London’s dynamic cultural scene in the 1960s. Working with designer Rupert Emmerson, he sought a shape that deliberately broke with convention. The timepiece’s radical silhouette, in stark contrast to the classical lines of traditional Cartier models, was the result of numerous experiments. The result was the “Crash”—a watch that has since become one of Cartier’s most coveted designs and a symbol of artistic daring. In 1991, Cartier Paris launched its own version of the famous Crash in a limited edition of 400 pieces in yellow gold, closely resembling the distinctive style of the original London model from 1967. This example offers collectors an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the most exceptional designs from the House of Cartier. The unmistakable design of the case, the discreet Cartier signature at 7 o’clock, and the graduated Roman numerals on the dial—which are harmoniously integrated into the overall design—make it particularly desirable among collectors. The complete set of original accessories further enhances this lot.