.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Cartier Paris debuted its own version of the famous Crash in 1991 as a 400-piece limited edition in yellow gold that closely resembled the unique style of the original 1967 London model. The present example gives collectors a unique chance to obtain one of the maison's most renowned and unusual designs thanks to its instantly identifiable 'exploding' Roman numerals, the subtle Cartier signature at seven o'clock, and the presence of its original accessories.
The origins of the Crash, an incredible creation, have long been mysterious, leading to a number of romantic legends. A distorted Maxi Baignoire Allongée or even a timepiece damaged in a car accident involving a Cartier executive may have served as the inspiration for the design, according to some, while others suggested Salvador Dalí's melting clocks. In her 2019 book 'The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewellery Empire', Francesca Cartier Brickell explains the real story by tracing the watch's history through family archives.
Jean-Jacques Cartier aimed to design a wristwatch that embodied the inventiveness and rebellious spirit of 1960s London's dynamic cultural scene. Working alongside designer Rupert Emmerson, he pursued a form that would deliberately break from convention. The timepiece's radical silhouette, which contrasted sharply with the classical lines of conventional Cartier models, was the result of multiple experiments. The outcome was the Crash, a watch that has since grown to be one of Cartier's most sought-after designs and a representation of artistic daring.
The origins of the Crash, an incredible creation, have long been mysterious, leading to a number of romantic legends. A distorted Maxi Baignoire Allongée or even a timepiece damaged in a car accident involving a Cartier executive may have served as the inspiration for the design, according to some, while others suggested Salvador Dalí's melting clocks. In her 2019 book 'The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewellery Empire', Francesca Cartier Brickell explains the real story by tracing the watch's history through family archives.
Jean-Jacques Cartier aimed to design a wristwatch that embodied the inventiveness and rebellious spirit of 1960s London's dynamic cultural scene. Working alongside designer Rupert Emmerson, he pursued a form that would deliberately break from convention. The timepiece's radical silhouette, which contrasted sharply with the classical lines of conventional Cartier models, was the result of multiple experiments. The outcome was the Crash, a watch that has since grown to be one of Cartier's most sought-after designs and a representation of artistic daring.