.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
拍品专文
Very few of Cartier’s 1990 London-made ‘Crash’ watches have ever appeared at auction. Christie's is proud to present this exceptional example, which is considered by many to be among the most appealing and sought-after iterations of this unquestionable design icon. The present timepiece is distinguished by its crisp, heavy gold case and matching gold 'Crash' deployant clasp, both of which have full Cartier London signatures and London hallmarks for 1990, in addition to its large cursive 'Cartier London' signature on its unaltered painted dial. All in all, it is an exquisite example that is hard to surpass.
Cartier’s ‘Crash’ watch is, quite simply, an object of desire. Once seen, it is never forgotten. In the world of wristwatches, its fluid, free-form case and specially crafted dial are unmatched, creating a captivating allure that is only possible with genuinely exceptional design and craftsmanship. The 'Crash' is a perfect illustration of what can only be called Cartier's genius.
In addition to being avant-garde, the design of the first 'Crash' watch was purposefully shocking when it was made in 1967. It is thought that only about 20 of these were initially produced, and they were only offered for sale through the Cartier boutique in London. They were made entirely of yellow gold. The London-made Crash watches from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the 1990 version, such as the present timepiece, all signed with the enchanted 'Cartier London' script, are unquestionably the most sought-after of all. A few variations were made in the decades that followed.
The Cartier 'Crash'
For such an extraordinary creation, it is surprising that the origins of the Cartier Crash were, until recently, shrouded in mystery. Many romantic myths, from dramatic incidents to artistic inspiration, emerged as a result of the absence of official documentation. However, Francesca Cartier Brickell's 2019 book 'The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewellery Empire', which draws directly from the Cartier family archives, has now conclusively confirmed the true story.
Jean-Jacques Cartier aimed to design a wristwatch that accurately captured the essence of the era in the dynamic cultural environment of London in the 1960s. The Crash was conceived by Jean-Jacques Cartier in collaboration with designer Rupert Emmerson. They experimented a lot before coming up with a final design that was drastically different from the oval-shaped and straight lines of the classic Tank watches.
Always handmade and produced in extremely small numbers, the Crash is almost impossible to obtain. Its instantly identifiable yet fiercely exclusive quasi-mythical status has guaranteed its lasting appeal and cemented its position as one of the most recognizable and sought-after watch designs of the 20th century.
Cartier’s ‘Crash’ watch is, quite simply, an object of desire. Once seen, it is never forgotten. In the world of wristwatches, its fluid, free-form case and specially crafted dial are unmatched, creating a captivating allure that is only possible with genuinely exceptional design and craftsmanship. The 'Crash' is a perfect illustration of what can only be called Cartier's genius.
In addition to being avant-garde, the design of the first 'Crash' watch was purposefully shocking when it was made in 1967. It is thought that only about 20 of these were initially produced, and they were only offered for sale through the Cartier boutique in London. They were made entirely of yellow gold. The London-made Crash watches from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the 1990 version, such as the present timepiece, all signed with the enchanted 'Cartier London' script, are unquestionably the most sought-after of all. A few variations were made in the decades that followed.
The Cartier 'Crash'
For such an extraordinary creation, it is surprising that the origins of the Cartier Crash were, until recently, shrouded in mystery. Many romantic myths, from dramatic incidents to artistic inspiration, emerged as a result of the absence of official documentation. However, Francesca Cartier Brickell's 2019 book 'The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewellery Empire', which draws directly from the Cartier family archives, has now conclusively confirmed the true story.
Jean-Jacques Cartier aimed to design a wristwatch that accurately captured the essence of the era in the dynamic cultural environment of London in the 1960s. The Crash was conceived by Jean-Jacques Cartier in collaboration with designer Rupert Emmerson. They experimented a lot before coming up with a final design that was drastically different from the oval-shaped and straight lines of the classic Tank watches.
Always handmade and produced in extremely small numbers, the Crash is almost impossible to obtain. Its instantly identifiable yet fiercely exclusive quasi-mythical status has guaranteed its lasting appeal and cemented its position as one of the most recognizable and sought-after watch designs of the 20th century.