Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay
Sotheby’s is set to present one of the most significant watch collections ever brought to market, as more than 300 vintage pieces from Cartier go under the hammer across three global auctions.
Titled The Shapes of Cartier: The Finest Vintage Grouping Ever Assembled, the collection has been built over 25 years by a private collector and traces a century of Cartier’s design evolution. The timepieces will be offered in a series of sales in Hong Kong, Geneva and New York, with total estimates exceeding $15 million.
A defining feature of the collection is its exceptional representation of Cartier London, particularly from the maison’s experimental period between 1967 and 1974. During this time, the Bond Street workshop operated with a high degree of creative independence, producing unconventional designs that pushed the boundaries of traditional watchmaking.
Among the standout pieces is a rare yellow-gold Crash model from 1987, estimated between $400,000 and $800,000. First introduced in 1967, the Crash is widely regarded as one of the most radical watch designs ever created, with its distorted, sculptural form redefining the limits of horological design.
The collection also includes a series of rare models such as the Decagonal, Tank Asymétrique and Baignoire variations, many of which are seldom seen on the open market. These pieces reflect Cartier’s ability to merge technical precision with artistic expression.
According to Sotheby’s, the significance of the collection lies not only in its scale but in the rarity and quality of its individual watches. The first sale will take place in Hong Kong on 24 April, followed by Geneva and New York, marking a major moment for collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.