Sotheby’s auction took place on September 16, 2022 at 12:00 CET for the rarest watch in the world. it Cartier Sheikh, a luxurious design that reappeared on the scene some forty years later and is associated with very special circumstances. In order to determine the value of watches, in addition to the quality of workmanship and the materials used, their past life, connection with the previous owner, the totality of events that marked them are often also used. And when history becomes legend I, too’hype takes off to the skies, attracting the interest of collectors, enthusiasts and just curious.
1985 when a Belgian motorcyclist Gaston Rayet on his red and white BMX, he manages to achieve a feat considered impossible: to win two years in a row Paris-Dakar, open to motorcycles and other off-road vehicles, the race now known as the Dakar Rally, which starts in the French capital and ends on the coast of Senegal after crossing 6,200 miles (about 10,000 km) of mountain ranges, hills, plains, sun-baked African desert. A heroic finish is awarded a prize commensurate with the value of the task, precious watch Cartier Cheichin fact, created especially for this occasion, a precious stone with meticulous workmanship and original design: a case forged in 18 carat goldmade in a combination of white, pink and yellow, is designed to recreate in an extremely realistic play of layers, folds and draperies the cotton turban traditionally worn Tuareg tribe and desert explorers to escape the scorching sun and unexpected sandstorms – in fact, the so-called “Cheich”.
A couple of years ago, the then CEO of Cartier Alain Dominique Perrin he spoke to the founder of Paris-Dakar Thierry Sabin desire to create a watch-decoration ad hoc were played out, but mere competition was not enough, raising the stakes also meant raising the bar, and so it was decided that to win the Cartier Cheich it was not enough to win the already exhausting race just once, but twice. Challenge Cartier, unfortunately, a short life is prepared because of the sad ending. In 1986, Sabina was hit by a severe sandstorm while crossing Mali in a helicopter and did not survive the crash; other people died with him, including the famous French singer Daniel Balavoine and Cartier Challengelaunched just a few years earlier, was canceled for good.
At the moment, the brand has produced other examples of Cheich watches: one that was given to Rahier, two that were destined to remain in the Cartier archive, including a more feminine one with a diamond-encrusted case, and the elusive fourth clock whose existence is shrouded in legends. In fact, it is said that the French motorcyclist was awarded it. Hubert Auriol, which won the Paris-Dakar in 1981 and 1983, but now the precious family heirloom will be lost. Given that Cartier jealously guards the two pieces currently in the archives, the watches won by Gaston Raier and sold at Stohby’s for between 200,000 and 400,000 euros are of interest to collectors and fanatics from all over the world. the only possibility win this rarity. In fact, it’s no coincidence that the watch sold for a sky-high $1.1 million (more than double its top starting price), eliciting the desire of many fans. And fans of the unique, eccentric and at the same time sophisticated Cartier design, even among celebrities more famous, there are many of them: it is enough to recall the famous Cartier Crash which, with its surreal tones a la Dali, conquered Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Tyler, Creator and many others.
Benoît Colson, watch specialist of the famous auction house, comments: “This is a real masterpiece of watchmaking art, associated with the triumph and tragedy of the legendary Challenge Cartier, has reached an almost mythical status. It is no coincidence that the market was looking forward to its first appearance at the auction.”
Source: Elle