23mm

Cartier Crash first appeared in the French Maison's catalog in 1967.  Rumors of the uniquely shaped watch's origins have swirled for decades ranging from Salvador Dali's surrealist painting The Persistence of Memory to more radically a Baignoire Allongée that melted in a car crash creating the unique form.  However according to Cartier descendant Francesca Cartier Brickell who researched her family's prestigious firm extensively the story is much more tame although still crash-inspired as its name would suggest.As the story goes Jean-Jacques set out to develop a watch "unlike any other " working closely with designer Rupert Emmerson to transform the traditional oval-shaped case into something that might look like it was in a car accident.  Each end of the case has a pinched look so it's understandable why some might connect the Cartier Crash and Dali's mind-bending aesthetic. The collection's history is much more involved than that but it ultimately produced a spectacular collection of boundary-breaking watches some with skeleton dials and even diamond-encrusted bezels like our example. Although Cartier still makes the watch today it's still incredibly exclusive and rare.  It isn't likely you'll spot watches like this one out in the wild. This example from the 1970s is an 18k yellow gold model with an ivory Roman numeral dial leather strap and sapphire crystal. It's a spectacular display of Cartier's unique design language that will undoubtedly become the crowning jewel of your watch box.

Cartier ref W2PN0006 is one of the most sought-after Cartier watches on the secondary market and it can be yours today for a very competitive Cartier price.  This lovely small model Cartier measures 23 mm x 30 mm and will look stunning on just about any wrist.  It also features a desirable two-tone finish a silky multi-link bracelet that drapes beautifully around the wrist and the famous Cartier Roman numeral dial with blued and sword-shaped hands. It features a reliable quartz movement a crown set with a synthetic blue spinel a lovely silvered dial and 30 meters of water resistance.  Add this gorgeous wardrobe staple to your collection before it's gone.