CARTIER
Crash
No. 109118 Limited edition of 400 pieces, No. 309/400 Circa 1991 18k (750) yellow gold wristwatch Case: asymmetrical, winding crown set with a cabochon, screw-down clasp, signed Dial: cream, Roman numerals, signed "Cartier Paris" Movement: mechanical, signed Clasp: "Crash" gold deployant clasp, signed Dimensions: 22 x 39 mm Gross weight: 41.80 g. A 18k yellow gold manual winding wristwatch, "crash" gold deployant clasp, signed. The Cartier Crash is above all a masterful example of horological storytelling. According to legend, a loyal client of the Maison—a great lover of jewelry—came to the Bond Street boutique in London with her Baignoire watch completely deformed after a car accident. Jean-Jacques Cartier, then director of Cartier London, was immediately captivated by this "damaged" object. An exceptional designer and a leading figure of Cartier's audacious spirit in the 1960s and 70s, he was notably behind visionary models such as the ultra-elongated Tank, known as the "Tank JJC," and the Tank Double Strap. Inspired by this dented silhouette, Jean-Jacques Cartier sketched a radical new form in a few strokes: thus, the Crash was born in 1967. Since its creation, the Crash has been distinguished by one constant: a deliberately rare production, always limited to just a few pieces. The one presented here is particularly desirable, as it comes from the exclusive series produced in 1991 by Cartier Paris. The Crash de Cartier is above all a masterful example of watchmaking storytelling. According to legend, a loyal customer of the brand—a great lover of jewelry—came to the Bond Street boutique in London with her Baignoire watch completely deformed after a car accident. Jean-Jacques Cartier, then director of Cartier London, immediately fell in love with this “damaged” object. An exceptional designer and a figurehead of Cartier's boldness in the 1960s and 1970s, he was notably behind visionary models such as the ultra-elongated Tank, known as the “Tank JJC,” and the Tank Double Strap. Inspired by this toothed silhouette, Jean-Jacques Cartier sketched a radical new shape in just a few strokes: thus the Crash was born in 1967. Since its creation, the Crash has been distinguished by one constant: deliberately rare production, always limited to just a few pieces. The one presented here is particularly desirable, as it comes from the exclusive series produced in 1991 by Cartier Paris.
