Cartier, Paris, A Fine and Rare Lady's Yellow Gold and Diamond-Set Asymmetrical Wristwatch


Model: CrashMovement No: 160Case No: A 111508 7419Year: 1997Calibre: 1978-2, manual winding Dial: Silvered, stylised Roman numerals, signed and with secret signature at VIICase: Length 39mm, 18k yellow gold asymmetric case, round-cut diamonds set throughout the bezel, solid case back, signedStrap: Endangered species, yellow gold Cartier asymmetric deployant claspAccompaniments: International Cartier certificate of guarantee confirming date of original purchase on 29th March 1997
|卡地亞-巴黎，「Crash」，精緻罕有女裝黃金鑲鑽石不對稱形狀手動上弦腕錶，1997年。附證書。First released by Cartier of London in 1967, the unusual shape of the Crash claims inspiration from a car accident involving a Vice President from the Cartier London office. His Cartier Maxi Oval reputedly melted amidst the flaming wreckage, resulting in a surrealist watch design in the manner of Salvador Dali's watch in The Persistence of Memory. The Head of Cartier London at the time, Jean-Jacques Cartier, gave the go-ahead for Cartier's designers to produce a man's wristwatch known as the "Crash" in very limited numbers, mainly in yellow gold with only three produced in white gold with a large case measuring 43mm by 23mm. Cartier Paris picked up production of the "Crash" and released a limited edition version of 200 pieces in 1991. The case of this modern version was smaller, measuring only 38.5mm in length. In 1997, Cartier Paris unveiled another limited edition of just 13 pieces in yellow gold commemorating the reopening of their Rue de la Paix store. The present rare example in yellow gold finely set with diamonds was also sold in 1997 and was likely produced in very limited numbers. The present example is even more desirable as it is accompanied by its original certificate. Cartier "Crash" wristwatches, like the present example, represent the pinnacle of style and exclusivity amongst Cartier collectors and design aficionados alike and are highly sought-after throughout the world.