New: Cartier Crash in Platinum, London Bond Street Exclusive

The Cartier Crash is a watch that defies convention and logic. Its distorted shape and surreal design evoke the works of Salvador Dalí and the spirit of the Swinging Sixties in London. It is a watch that has fascinated collectors and enthusiasts for decades, and has become one of Cartier’s most iconic creations.

Cartier Crash in Platinum, London Bond Street Exclusive

The new edition will be available from July 2023 exclusively at Cartier New Bond Street, and is priced at £43,000 and will be produced in limited quantities.

Press Release with Commentary in Italics.

Commentary

The new Cartier Crash in platinum is a tribute to this legacy, and a rare opportunity to own a piece of horological history. Only available at the New Bond Street boutique in London, where the original Crash was born. It features a special engraving on the case back, and a ruby cabochon on the crown, adding a touch of elegance and exclusivity.

The platinum case enhances the brilliance and refinement of the watch, while also making it more durable and resistant to scratches. The grey calfskin strap complements the cool tone of the metal, and adds a touch of contrast to the dial. The dial itself is faithful to the original design, with stretched Roman numerals and blued-steel hands. The watch is powered by the in-house calibre 1917 MC, a hand-wound movement with a 38-hour power reserve.

The new Cartier Crash in platinum is a watch that celebrates the art of being different, and the joy of being creative. It is a watch that challenges the norms of watchmaking, and invites us to see time in a new way.

Press Release

In 1967, deep in the heart of the Swinging Sixties, Cartier unveiled its most emblematic creation to date, the audacious Crash timepiece under the leadership of Jean-Jacques Cartier, son of Jacques Cartier and director of the London flagship boutique on New Bond Street. During this period, London was buzzing with unprecedented effervescence: a mood that captured the true essence of British flair and creativity. As pop culture flourished, the watchmaking department brimmed with bold new ideas and horizons to continuously expand its stylistic designs with curiosity and open-mindedness. The Cartier Crash timepiece is the perfect illustration of this historical period.

History

The watch is a blend of tradition and daring with its unconventional shape. It is thought to have been inspired, according to legend, by a Cartier watch mangled in a car accident and brought into the Cartier London workshop for repair. The watch characterised the vibrant energy of the city at the time and its asymmetrical dial revolutionised the aesthetic codes of watchmaking.

Since 1967, only a limited number of Cartier Crash watches have been recreated. Its design has left an undeniable mark in history and continues to be particularly sought-after by clients, collectors and celebrities alike, with the most recent 2019 re-edition of the Crash in yellow gold, an exclusive to the New Bond Street flagship.

The New Cartier Crash

This year, artisans at the Maison have taken its original design one step further to explore the case’s potential whilst honouring the original aesthetic. To bring this watch to life, the artisans opted for a platinum case.

True to Cartier watches, the new Cartier Crash displays many of the Maison’s watchmaking codes: Roman numerals, sword-shaped blued-steel hands and a ruby cabochon, set in a beaded crown. It is equipped with a Manufacture mechanical movement with manual winding, calibre 1917 MC.

Close attention to detail has been paid with respect to the dial, so as to remain as faithful as possible to the original 1967 Cartier Crash. The new platinum Cartier Crash features a special engraving on the reverse and is adorned by a grey calfskin strap.

The new edition will be available from July 2023 exclusively at Cartier New Bond Street.