The Cartier Crash Skeleton reference HPI00935 is a highly exclusive luxury timepiece from the High Jewellery collection, limited to just 67 individually numbered pieces. It features a 950 platinum case measuring approximately 28.15mm by 45.32mm, distinguished by the collection’s iconic asymmetrical, “melted” silhouette. This specific iteration is elevated by a fixed platinum bezel meticulously set with 258 brilliant-cut diamonds, emphasizing its status as a fusion of haute horlogerie and fine jewelry. The watch is presented on a navy blue or black alligator leather strap secured by a white gold folding buckle encrusted with an additional 48 diamonds.
At the heart of the timepiece is the manufacture Calibre 9618 MC, a manual-winding mechanical movement specifically re-engineered to follow the unconventional, warped contours of the Crash case. The movement’s openworked bridges are ingeniously shaped to form the Roman numerals of the dial, which are themselves adorned with 269 diamonds. This skeletonized architecture allows for a transparent view of the movement from both the front and the sapphire crystal caseback. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a substantial three-day power reserve, while blued-steel sword hands ensure legibility against the complex openwork.
General reviews of the Cartier Crash Skeleton highlight it as a masterpiece of avant-garde design that transcends traditional watchmaking. Collectors and critics frequently praise the technical achievement of shaping both a platinum case and a mechanical movement to such an irregular form. The watch is often described as wearable art, with its design drawing comparisons to Salvador Dali’s surrealist works, though historical accounts clarify its origins in 1960s “Swinging London.” While its unique shape and high-jewelry execution make it a significant statement piece, its extreme rarity and “Price On Request” status position it as one of the most elusive and sought-after models for top-tier horological connoisseurs.