Amazing Collection of Vintage Cartier Watches Heads to Auction
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
More than 300 pieces from a single-owner collection will cross the block at Sotheby's at a series of auctions between April and December.
Sotheby’s is calling it the most important and comprehensive collection of vintage Cartiers ever brought to market, and the auction house is putting a gobsmacking lineup of vintage timepieces under the hammer, at a time when vintage Cartiers (they made their first watch in 1904) have become popular amongst serious collectors. Indeed, Cartier watches have reportedly increased in value faster than Rolexes over the past decade, and now Sotheby’s is giving deep-pocketed brand devotees the chance to make a potentially smart investment.
The cream of the crop is a striking Cartier Crash, believed to be one of just three iterations made in 1987. The famed surrealist oval wristwatch, made in the house’s London headquarters known for its daring designs, and is expected to go for up to $800,000.
Beyond the Crash, the auction will offer a Decagonal model, also made in London, which is estimated to achieve $80,000. The unusual 18-carat yellow-gold iteration, with its 10-sided case and large Roman numerals, is just one of five models known to exist.
Other highlights include an extremely rare Asymétrique with a bold blue-enamel dial; a Tank Asymétrique in 18-white gold and blue numerals and a lady’s 18-carat white-gold Octagonal - all for between $50,000 to $80,000.
"This collection is remarkable not only for its breadth, but for its depth - particularly in its unprecedented assembly of Cartier London pieces, many of which are among the most important examples ever to appear on the market,” says Sam Hines, global chairman of Sotheby’s Watches.
The Shapes of Cartier: The Finest Vintage Group Ever Assembled sale, expected to fetch more than $15 million, will go under the hammer at a variety of Sotheby’s Important Watch auctions from April to December. The first trove of watches will be up for grabs in Hong Kong on 24 April, with that 1987 Cartier Crash as the star of the show.
