Cartier - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII Hong Kong Thursday, November 25, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: Circa 1994
    Case No: A111356, 1994 6
    Model Name: Crash
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 160, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Cartier deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 38mm length x 23mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier certificate stamped Cartier Pacific Place Hong Kong dated 7th November 1994, instruction manual, product literature, document holder, hangtag, additional crocodile strap, service invoice and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    An icon of the swinging sixties crafted by the great maker of shaped watches, the Cartier Crash remains, not just one of the most radical designs born in 1967 but one of the greatest throughout the decades. With a mysterious origin of the birth of this model, rumour has it that the inspiration comes from a melted Cartier Baignoire from the fire of a car crash, others refer it to the surrealist Salvador Dali’s most recognised work, Persistence of Memory. While the tale of the timepiece is compelling and romantic, the origin was addressed in Francesca Cartier Brickell’s book, The Cartiers, where she recounts a conversation with her grandfather Jean-Jacques Cartier, about how the audacity of the design was sketched out with artisan Rupert Emmerson.

    The Cartier Crash is certainly a superlative timepiece and it is perhaps the most celebrated and sought-after Cartier wristwatch ever by esteemed collectors. The present Cartier Crash produced in 1994 is one of the rarest variants amongst its breed. Released for the Hong Kong market and cased in 18K pink gold, the Crash features an extraordinarily rare dash of burgundy against the warm white dial, each Roman numeral painted with the alluring colour, the combination matches perfectly with the red tones of the pink metal. The caseback is engraved with “1994 6”, indicating that the timepiece is the 6th piece to be made during 1994. Gorgeously preserved by the original owner, the present example preserved with a voluptuous case with sinuous contour uninterrupted is fresh-to-the-market and accompanied by its original certificate and accessories. With a roaring demand for the Cartier Crash in recent times, the present example is surely a rare treat for the discerned collector yearning for this beloved icon.

  • 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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Property from the Original Owner

Σ812

An impressive, unusual and very rare limited edition pink gold asymmetric wristwatch, certificate and presentation box, numbered 6 of a limited edition of 40 pieces, made for the Hong Kong market

Circa 1994
38mm length x 23mm width
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$550,000 - 850,000 
€61,200-94,500
$70,500-109,000

Sold for HK$1,638,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII

Hong Kong Auctions 25-26 November 2021