Cartier Rare Watches Exhibition

On Tuesday, November 8th, the Fine Watch Club was invited by the Maison to an exclusive exhibition of its rare timepieces. Dedicated to watchmaking expertise and iconic watches - this exhibition brought together enthusiasts and amateurs at the Cartier Boutique in Geneva.

Located on the rue du Rhône since 1969 and completely renovated in 2021 after two years of work, the Geneva boutique is the Maison's most prominent swiss address. With more than 1,200 square metres, an ice corridor on the first floor and the Residence on the second floor, the boutique has ideally linked its heritage to its geographical context thanks to the multiple craftsmanships displayed in every corner. From the Jet-d'eau-de-Genève mosaic next to the Panther to the many other features, everything has been designed to allow visitors a complete immersion into Cartier's universe.

Couloir de glace © Agence Moinard Bétaille, Bruno Moinard et Claire Bétaille

On the occasion of the Rare Watches Exhibition, the event occurred in this new addition to the second floor: his Residence. Composed of a hall, a kitchen, a bathroom, rooms dedicated to service and two lounges, it was in this setting that the FWC and its respective members were welcomed. During this event, more than 30 rare pieces were exhibited, including new icons and old ones: the Tank, the Cartier Crash, the Cartier large Pebble and the "Cheich" watch.

The "Cheich"

Designed by Jacques Diltoer, former creative director of Cartier, and Alain-Dominique Perrin, President of Cartier at the time, the "Cheich" was created especially for Mr Rahier, who won two consecutive Paris-Dakar rallies as part of the Cartier challenge in 1984 and 1895. This model represents one of the rarest and most legendary watches of the Maison. The design of this watch recalls the silhouette of a Tuareg, a desert dweller wearing a "Cheich" or traditional piece of cloth around his head to protect him from the sun's rays. With an initial estimated value of $400,000, the "Cheich" was recently sold at auction in Paris by Sotheby's for over $1.1 million - a record for a Cartier watch sold at auction in Europe.

If you would also like to discover the world of Cartier beyond its walls, Cartier is exhibiting its iconic Panther in a travelling installation called INTO THE WILD in Zurich. Conceived as a cultural experience, the exhibition travels the world, from Macau to Taipei, via Zurich's famous Bahnhofstrasse 74 from November 19th to December 17th, 2022.