CARTIER - Lot 83

CARTIER Crash Watch" model Limited series No. 174/400 Produced in 1991 Wristwatch in 18k (750) yellow from a limited series of 400 produced in 1991 Case: deformed with screw closure, back marked with numbers, cabochon winding mechanism, screw closure on case middle, signed Dial: white with Roman numeral hour markers, also deformed to match the shape of the case, signed Movement: hand-wound mechanical Strap/Clasp: leather with deformed folding clasp in 18k (750) yellow gold, signed With: case and box, insurance letter dated June 11, 1992 from Cartier, red imitation leather case including certificate number 174/400 and two original booklets from Cartier. Dim. 39 x 23 mm Gross weight 41,30 g This Cartier "Crash Watch" is one of the rare examples sold at the time by the House of Cartier and has survived the decades with its accessories and original case. Carefully preserved by its original owner, it is a "full set", which is an exceptional guarantee of preservation for the discerning collector. The Cartier Crash is one of Cartier's most emblematic and audacious watches. Its distorted, asymmetrical design has made it a true object of fascination for collectors and watch enthusiasts alike. The Cartier Crash was created in 1967 by Cartier London, a semi-independent subsidiary of parent company Cartier Paris, headed at the time by Jean-Jacques Cartier. Legend has it that the idea for the design was born after a Cartier Baignoire Allongée watch was damaged in a car accident and melted in the heat. This watch was taken back to Cartier London for repair, inspiring the creation of the Crash. However, the reality is more nuanced: Jean-Jacques Cartier and his designer Rupert Emmerson wanted to create a watch with a radically different design, inspired by the surrealist movement and deconstructivist style. Our model is that of the 1991 re-launch of the Cartier "Crash Watch" under the impetus of its president at the time, Alain Dominique Perrin, an emblematic figure of the brand in the 1990s. Only 400 examples were produced, but few examples are so complete with all the original accessories. The "Crash Watch" is much more than a watch with an atypical design; it embodies a break with watchmaking tradition and symbolizes Cartier's artistic audacity. Its revolutionary design and fascinating history make it a timeless icon of luxury watchmaking.