Sotheby’s will offer The Shapes of Cartier: The Finest Vintage Grouping Ever Assembled, described as the largest and most comprehensive collection of vintage Cartier watches in auction history. Comprising more than 300 timepieces, the group will be presented across the house’s Important Watches auctions in Hong Kong, Geneva and New York between April and December 2026.
Assembled over a quarter of a century, the collection chronicles a century of Cartier watchmaking and includes examples from Cartier Paris, London and New York. It spans the maison’s most recognisable designs, from the Tank to the asymmetrical Crash, alongside rare variations, early examples and singular one-offs. The grouping is expected to achieve in excess of $15 million.
The first offering takes place in Hong Kong on 24 April 2026, led by a rare yellow-gold Cartier London Crash circa 1987. Additional highlights will be unveiled throughout the year.
Conceived in 1967 by Cartier London, the Crash is celebrated for its surreal, asymmetrical form. Jean-Jacques Cartier and his chief designer, Rupert Emmerson, reimagined the existing Maxi Oval, pinching the ends and bending the case to create a new silhouette. Fewer than a dozen original London Crash watches are estimated to have been produced between 1967 and 1970. The example on offer, dating from 1987, is believed to be one of only three made that year, and is accompanied by its original gold deployant buckle, case and buckle hallmarked London for 1987. It carries an estimate of $400,000 to $800,000.
Other highlights include a Cartier Decagonal in 18ct yellow gold, a 10-sided model featured in the 1967 Time Bazaar list, hallmarked London for 1970 to 1971, estimated at $60,000 to $80,000; a Tank Asymétrique in 18ct white gold with blue numerals, hallmarked London for 1992, estimated at $60,000 to $80,000; and a rare Cartier Asymétrique with blue enamel, hallmarked London for 1973 to 1974, estimated at $50,000 to $80,000.
Further lots include a lady’s 18ct white gold Cartier Octagonal, hallmarked London for 1971 to 1972, estimated at $50,000 to $80,000; a deeply curved 18ct yellow gold Cartier Driver’s watch inspired by Cartier Paris’s 1933 design, hallmarked London for 1966 to 1967, estimated at $50,000 to $80,000; an 18ct white gold Cartier Tank Allongée with black dial, hallmarked London for 1992, estimated at $40,000 to $60,000; and a yellow gold Cartier Baignoire, circa 1973 to 1974, estimated at $50,000 to $68,000.
(Press Release)
