Cartier - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: 1999
    Case No: A114'689 further stamped 10'614 inside caseback
    Model Name: Crash
    Material: 18K white gold and diamonds
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 160, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Cartier deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 38mm average length and 21mm average width
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier fitted box, certificate of guarantee confirming date of sale on June 7, 1999 and product literature

  • Catalogue Essay

    Thought to have been inspired by Salvador Dali’s surrealistic paintings, the Cartier Crash watch has in fact a more macabre story behind it. Legend says that Cartier employees found a Cartier Baignoire watch in the embers of a car crash. The watch case had melted into the shape of Salvador Dali’s watch in The Persistence of Memory, which inspired the company to produce a similar watch, aptly named "Crash". Nevertheless, imagination and creativity are the signature of Cartier and the present Crash, far from stories of accidents, with its asymmetrical case is glamorous, groovy and edgy. Born in London's swinging sixties, it fully captures the energy of Cool Britannia. Always released in very limited series since its original introduction in 1967, the present lot with its dazzling pavé diamond case, is an ultimate expression of Cartier’s exquisite style and feminine sophistication.

  • 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. 

    View More Works

Σ10

A fine and attractive asymmetrical diamond-set white gold ladies wristwatch

1999
38mm average length and 21mm average width
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000 
€27,500-45,900
$30,900-51,500

Sold for CHF58,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016