Cartier Crash: The Most Unique and Elusive Watch Ever?

The Origin of the Cartier Crash

There’s a popular story floating around that the Cartier Crash was born by accident — literally. According to the tale, a client brought in a distorted Cartier watch after a car crash, and the brand found the look so fascinating, they turned it into a new design. Sounds cool, but according to Francesca Cartier Brickell, author of The Cartiers and granddaughter of Jean-Jacques Cartier, there’s no hard proof of that car crash ever happening. That said, she does admit the design clearly draws inspiration from the surrealist art scene of the time. Think Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory — those melting clocks? Yeah, exactly that vibe. What we do know for sure: the design grabs attention like few others.

So, What Cartier Crash Models Are Out There?

The original Crash was released in 1967 — but that was just the beginning. Over the years, Cartier has brought out various versions, keeping the iconic distorted case at the core but evolving with the times. One of the boldest yet? The Cartier Crash Skeleton. We’ll walk you through all the key models.

Also worth noting: look closely at the dial. The small text at the bottom reveals subtle clues about the origin:

• Paris dial – Says “Paris” at the bottom, nodding to Cartier’s iconic Rue de la Paix boutique.
• Swiss Made dial – Found on later editions with the classic Swiss label.
• London dial – From the early London production; some have no text, others hint at British roots.

1. The Original Crash (1967)

The very first Crash came out in 1967 and remains the holy grail for collectors. Only a handful were made in London, and these early pieces are incredibly rare today. The distorted case — which genuinely looks like it melted — measures about 43mm long by 25mm wide, a bit smaller than later versions.
Inside, it runs on the hand-wound LeCoultre calibre 841, offering a power reserve of around 36–40 hours. 

Vintage models in good condition, especially those in gold, are currently fetching anywhere from €200.000 to over €800.000 at high-end auctions, depending on condition, provenance, and rarity.

2. Crash in White Gold (2015)

In 2015, Cartier gave the Crash a modern refresh in white gold. The shape stayed the same, but the clean, icy metal gave it a fresh, contemporary twist. It’s slightly bigger than the original, around 45mm x 25.5mm.
Powered by the hand-wound calibre 8970 MC, it’s good for around 38 hours of power reserve. 

This combo of classic design and modern elegance made it an instant hit among collectors. Market prices today? Think somewhere between €100.000 and €150.000.

3. Crash in Platinum (2018)

Now we’re talking exclusivity. The 2018 Crash in platinum took things to another level. Platinum — one of the most expensive and rare materials in watchmaking — gave the Crash an even more luxurious feel.

Same modern size (45mm x 25.5mm), same 8970 MC movement with a 38-hour reserve. But with that platinum case, the vibe is elevated.
Looking to add a touch of serious prestige to your collection? This is your guy. Expect to pay between €150.000 and €200.000 for this one.

4. Crash in Yellow Gold (2020)

In 2020, Cartier went back to the roots with a yellow gold edition. This model brought back the classic vintage look, and the yellow gold really matched the original Crash energy.

Same case dimensions (45mm x 25.5mm), same 8970 MC hand-wound movement with a 38-hour reserve.

The combo of the warm gold tone and that crazy case shape proved to be a winner. Prices start at around €90.000 and can go up to €130.000 depending on condition and rarity.

5. Crash Skeleton (2021)

This one’s for the bold. The Crash Skeleton from 2021 is easily the most daring version yet.

With an open-worked dial, you can actually see the movement inside — and it looks just as wild as the case. Slightly bigger than the others (around 45.32mm x 28.15mm), it’s powered by the 9618 MC skeleton calibre with an impressive 72-hour reserve.

This version proves Cartier is still innovating, still pushing the envelope. A modern, artsy piece that blends craftsmanship with creativity. Prices typically range between €120.000 and €180.000.

Why Is the Cartier Crash So Popular (and Expensive)?

Because it’s not just a watch — it’s a statement. And when celebs like Kanye West, Tyler, The Creator, and Jay-Z are wearing it, that status only grows.
But the real magic? The design. There’s nothing else like it. The distorted, asymmetrical case looks like it’s straight out of a surrealist dream. No imitations, no alternatives.

On top of that, production is very limited. Always has been. And Cartier likes to keep the mystery alive by never revealing exact numbers. The result? Demand keeps rising. Supply stays limited. And auction prices? They keep climbing. This is one of the hottest — and most expensive — watches on the market right now.

What’s the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) Program?

Between 1998 and 2008, Cartier launched the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line — a special series for the real collectors out there.
No mass-market stuff here. These were high-end reissues of iconic models like the Tank, and Santos, all featuring top-tier mechanical movements and refined finishing touches.

The Crash technically wasn’t part of CPCP, but it did get a few special editions in the '90s: 200 pieces in 1991 and a super rare run of 13 watches in 1997, celebrating the reopening of Cartier’s boutique on Rue de la Paix. 

The CPCP line ended in 2008, but the idea lives on. Since 2017, Cartier has been doing similar reissues under the Cartier Privé banner. The Crash hasn’t been officially included in this modern series — yet — but both CPCP and Privé models remain collector favorites.

Quartz? Automatic? Nope.

The Cartier Crash isn’t quartz, and it’s not automatic either. It’s a manually wound watch — which means you wind it yourself by turning the crown.
No batteries, no rotors. Just a simple, old-school ritual that makes you feel more connected to the piece. Watch lovers dig that. It’s not just about wearing the watch, it’s about interacting with it.

How to Buy a Cartier Crash

Alright, so how do you actually get your hands on one? Truth is — you’ll need more than just good taste. You’ll need a serious budget.

Cartier still makes the Crash, but in extremely limited quantities. So limited, in fact, that getting one directly from Cartier is basically a miracle.
That’s why prices remain sky-high — loads of demand, barely any supply.

Can’t find one online right now? No stress. At Wristler, we’ve got the network to track one down for you. Just set up a search request and we’ll get to work. Reach out to us — we’ll talk options.

The Cartier Crash isn’t something you just stumble across. It’s history, it’s art, and it’s a flex — all rolled into one. Whether you’d wear it or just admire it from afar, one thing’s for sure: you won’t forget it.

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