Cartier has long been appreciated for their masterful craftsmanship and elegant designs. There are countless emblematic pieces manufactured by the firm. The Crash watch, with its amazing, dream-like curved forms, is Cartier’s most radical watch design. Since it was first introduced over 50 years ago, the Cartier Crash has become a market phenomenon and haute horlogerie icon. The design was unique and innovative, capturing the cultural vibe of the late 1960s.

Its history remained a mystery until it was revealed by Francesca Cartier Brickell in her book “The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire”, where she explained that the design was the brainchild of her grandfather Jean-Jacques Cartier and designer Rupert Emmerson. The original Crash was released in 1967 by Cartier London and since then, very limited batches of the famed design were released throughout the decades until the present day. At the time Jean-Jacques Cartier was the head of Cartier London, and along with Emmerson, they modified a Maxi Baignoire Alongée to make it look as if the watch had been in a crash.

Due to the success of the model, Cartier over the ensuing years released re-editions of the original 48mm London version, such as the present 1990s gem-set series, or even skeletonized and enamelled versions in recent years. The present well-preserved example in white gold from circa 1995 is the ultimate expression of Cartier’s exquisite style and sophistication with the pavé diamond-set bezel. Always in style and always in demand, the Crash is a wonderful unconventional timepiece and an homage to Cartier’s 20th century watchmaking excellence.