La mode passe, les montres Cartier restent
Meet a new generation of watch collectors and innovators with a passion for the Maison’s horological creations. Exclusively for “365”, they delve into their Cartier collections, sharing expert opinions and personal anecdotes alike.
Hassan Akhras
Founder, Arab Watch Guide
@arabwatchguide
What made you want to collect Cartier?
I seriously started collecting Cartier in 2018 when the Santos de Cartier was relaunched; it caught my attention with its story and activations and made me start digging more and more into the history of the brand. I knew straight away that I wanted to build my Cartier collection.
Which piece from your collection could you never be tempted to sell?
My custom-made special-order Crash. This is a holy grail watch that I feel so privileged to own and extremely lucky to have in my collection at this phase of my collecting journey.
Tell us about your current watch obsession.
From Cartier, I have been building a unique collection from the special club orders and the Collection Privée Cartier Paris yearly releases, as well as unique pieces I am commissioning myself. For other brands, I tend to focus on two of my favorite complications: Chronographs and GMT/World timers.
Brynn Wallner
Fondateur de Dimepiece
@dimepiece.co
What was your first Cartier watchmaking creation?
My first Cartier watchmaking creation–and, in fact, my first ever luxury watch–was a small steel Tank Française. In my quest to pick out a first timepiece, honoring the hard work I’d put into Dimepiece, I tried on countless watches but it wasn’t until my friend Courtney let me try on her steel Française that I had my glass slipper moment. On the day before my 31st birthday, I went into the Cartier Mansion on 5th Avenue and bought the Tank for myself.
What is the craziest thing you’ve done to secure a vintage find?
Spent four hours on 47th street, which is three and a half more hours than anyone should have to endure.
Tell us about your current watch obsession.
The Cartier Baignoire on a bangle, which I had the pleasure of trying on at this year’s Watches & Wonders. I feel as though I almost manifested this watch, drooling over old photos of the Baignoire, gushing about it to anyone who’d listen. To see this vintage design reissued on a bangle–in the mini size!–was a testament to Cartier’s dedication to its loyal female clientele. Of course, this watch would look fab on the right man, but the design feels so shamelessly feminine.
Jiaxian Su
Founder, SJX Watches
@sjxwatches
What makes a Cartier watch stand out?
Cartier has historically been a pioneer in terms of case designs, and several of its creations have become icons that have lasted more than a century. Diversity is perhaps Cartier’s strength. The Crash and Tank are polar opposites, yet both are instantly recognizable as Cartier.
How do you go about sourcing a particular vintage watch?
I am fortunate because I see a lot of watches, so often I encounter a watch rather than me going out there to search for a specific timepiece. One thing I wish I had kept in mind when I was a beginner collector: it is better to save and wait for the best possible watch within your budget rather than compromise and buy something more affordable sooner.
What is the craziest thing you’ve done to secure a vintage find?
I found a particularly interesting watch for sale online, and it cost a substantial sum of money at the time. It was located in a foreign country that I happened to be travelling to. I had to drive several hours to the seller’s home. I bought the watch, and I still have it, but I had to stay one more night until the wire transfer cleared. It was probably one of my best buying decisions as a collector.
Auro Montanari
Writer, Photographer
and Watch Collector
@goldberger
What makes a Cartier watch stand out?
The timeless design and the elegance on the wrist.
What made you want to collect Cartier?
For me, collecting the Cartier timepieces is an interesting journey in the brand’s history. Cartier designed and created a great variety of unique and rare watches.
How do you go about sourcing a particular vintage watch?
Very few people around the world have a good knowledge about
Cartier vintage watches. My advice to any new Cartier lover and collector is to be careful and buy only from a specialized dealer in the vintage corners of the most important Cartier boutiques around the world.
