French jeweler and watchmaker Cartier has redesigned its renowned Crash watch. Offered in 18kt white or rose gold, the case dimensions are 38.5mm x 25.5mm, adorned with 150 diamonds totaling 2.15 carats. The watch houses a Swiss manual-wind Cartier caliber with 18 jewels, featuring a mineral crystal and a solid caseback. Additionally, the optional diamond bracelet boasts 471 diamonds, totaling 4.27 carats. Introduced in late 1967, the Cartier Crash watch has an intriguing story behind its creation:
“The story goes that a Vice president from the Cartier offices in London, was involved in a fatal car crash. A fire ensued and the occupant along with his watch was caught up in the flames, furthering along the fatality and “melting” the watch on his wrist, a Cartier Bagnoire Alongee, which is shaped like an elongated oval. The watch being melted and mangled took on the shape of a surrealistic watch from a Dali painting. The powers that be at Cartier, found this “watch design” actually inspiring, and decided to introduce is as a new design, and as a tribute to their fallen colleague. Thus the “Crash” watch was born.”
[ Source: Cartier ]