Cartier - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: Circa 1991
    Case No: A108’331, 035-91
    Model Name: Crash, Paris Edition
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1978-2, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 38mm length x 23mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier Certificate dated 24th December 1991 stamped Cartier Luzern, instruction manual, product literature, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Regarded as one of the most mysterious timepieces, the Cartier Crash became an icon over the years due to its illustrious story and its daring aesthetics. Released in 1967 at the prestigious London New Bond Street Cartier Boutique, the public witnessed what is to be one of the most controversial timepieces of the 20th century. While some say that it was inspired from Salvador Dali’s surrealist painting, “Persistence of Memory”, featuring a melting clock, some would disagree and say that it was in fact inspired by a Cartier Bagnoire that went through a car crash, melted down in fire and ended up with a deformed case shape resembling the Cartier Crash.

    During the 1960s, branches of the firm in Paris, New York and London operated individually with Cartier London headed by the great-grandson of the founder, Jean-Jacques Cartier. With a relaxed and an innovative approach to creating works impeccable works of luxury goods to cater towards his demand of his clientele.

    Regardless of the story, the Cartier Crash is a superlative timepiece that resonates perfectly with the beauty of aesthetics. With a romanticized story on its founding, the Crash has become a legend on its own, with Cartier Paris eventually producing their own. In 1991, Cartier Paris launched a limited edition series of the Crash encased in yellow gold as a limited edition of 400 pieces. Beautifully preserved, the present example numbered 35 belongs to one of the earliest examples. Complete with its original certificate and its presentation box, the present Paris Crash will certainly gather much interest from collectors as it is not often that these spectacular timepieces surfaces on the market, especially when its preserved in this condition.

  • Artist Biography

    Cartier

    French

    With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.

    Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open. 

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Σ874

An extremely attractive, unusual and rare limited edition asymmetric yellow gold wristwatch with certificate and presentation box, numbered 35 out of a limited edition of 400 pieces

Circa 1991
38mm length x 23mm width
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$320,000 - 480,000 
€34,500-51,700
$41,000-61,500

Sold for HK$945,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020