When you think of the word ‘crash’, chances are you’ll envisage a wreckage of some sort; twisted metal, crushed components and distorted detritus. It probably wouldn’t cross your mind that the word can be associated with a thing of beauty, and one that is unwilling to conform to what is generally perceived as beautiful. So imagine a watch, going by such a name, with all the characteristics mentioned and more than just a slight resemblance to a Salvador Dali painting…what would you expect?
The Cartier Crash is completely unconventional, and when first released, challenged the principles of precision and accuracy in watchmaking during the early Seventies. Jean-Jacques Cartier, head of Cartier’s London branch between 1945 and 1974, bore witness to a watch in 1967 that was in a sorry state due to a car accident, and had been returned for repair. The unfortunate object – a Cartier Bagnoire Alongee in its former life, owned by a Vice President of the company – had melted in the burning wreckage. So taken was Cartier with the form of the misshapen, mis-adventured timepiece that he decided it would be discourteous not to try and reproduce it for others to enjoy.
The pink gold, gem-set version is one of four new limited edition models continuing the collection, marking 46 years since the creation of their predecessor. Cartier’s use of humour and disregard for convention whilst creating and naming the watch was deliberate, intended to represent the creative freedom of the Seventies and to symbolise the ‘impact’ it would have. Each model that has surfaced over the years – always produced as a limited edition – has become collector’s gold, and no doubt these newer models will be jumping on the bandwagon.
For the first time in the history of the collection, the strap is not leather; instead, it is a bracelet of delicate drops in white or pink gold with an arrangement like basket-woven precious metal, which is entirely gem-set on two of the models.
Restricted to a run of only 267 numbered pieces, in reference to its year of birth, this object of desire – and object d’art – is available only in selected Cartier boutiques. With such a fascinating story behind it, as well as a large, universal brand, there is no doubt this piece will be the talking point of numerous elite watch collections around the world.
The case is asymmetrical in both planes; it curves with the wrist as well as snakes across it. A dazzling and solid arrangement of 150 brilliant-cut diamonds frame the dial as though it were a surrealist painting, its bold Roman indices moving fluidly to fill the irregular curves that establish the 38.45 x 25.5mm dimensions. The diamond-set winding crown juts out unobtrusively from the case but at the same time is a mini gem in itself. A splash of colour is provided by the blued steel hands, sword-shaped and striking against the silvered dial. Every aspect of this piece is carefully considered, and the fact that it has been modelled on a previously semi-destroyed chronograph makes it all the more interesting and alluring.
