These watches could be the coolest things I’ve seen so far this year.
Sotheby’s is preparing to present a landmark watch auction titled “The Shapes of Cartier,” featuring what is widely regarded as the most comprehensive selection of vintage Cartier timepieces ever assembled. The offering includes over 300 watches, carefully built up across more than two decades, with total sales expected to surpass $15 million USD.
The collection shows off Cartier’s reputation for bold and unconventional design, spanning pieces created by its historic ateliers in Paris, London, and New York. A key highlight is the emphasis on unusual case shapes, particularly rare examples produced in London, which are celebrated for their experimental forms and limited availability.
One of the headline pieces is a late-1980s London-made Crash model in yellow gold, instantly noticed for its distorted, almost melted appearance. The sale also includes a 1960s driver’s watch designed with a curved profile to improve readability on the wrist, along with highly sought-after designs such as the Pebble, and various versions of the Baignoire and Tank.
Many of the watches being offered were made in extremely small quantities, with some believed to be one-of-a-kind creations. Together, they represent a broad timeline of Cartier’s design evolution, combining artistic risk-taking with refined watchmaking expertise.
Specialists note that vintage Cartier continues to attract collectors because it reflects distinct eras while remaining visually relevant today. The strong presence of London-produced models is particularly significant, as these pieces are often considered some of the brand’s most daring and collectible designs.
The auction will take place across multiple global locations throughout 2026, beginning in Hong Kong in late April, before moving to Geneva in May and concluding in New York in June.
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