A rare white gold Cartier Cheich wristwatch, originally commissioned in 2010 and never sold to the public, achieved a record-breaking $3.4 million at a Sotheby's Hong Kong auction. This unique piece, one of only five known Cheich examples, was awarded as a prize for consecutive wins in the Paris-Dakar Rally and is notable for being the most expensive Cartier wristwatch and the most expensive quartz watch ever sold at auction.
- Sold for $3.4 million at Sotheby's Hong Kong auction
- One of only five known examples of the Cheich
- Unique piece commissioned in 2010
- Cased in white gold
- Powered by a quartz movement
- Measures 38mm in length and 27mm in width
- Presented on a brown leather strap
- Labeled No. 1 of 1
The Cartier Cheich was awarded as a prize to consecutive Paris-Dakar Rally winners and was inspired by the blue headscarves of the Tuareg people.
The Cheich is one of Cartier's most unusual and rarest creations, modelled on the rally's emblem of a Tuareg tribesman.
This specific white gold Cheich was commissioned in 2010 for Giorgio Seragnoli, a collector of white metal Cartier watches.
The white gold Cheich sold for US$3.38 million, setting a record for both a Cartier watch and a quartz wristwatch.
The watch spurred a nine-minute bidding war, selling for HK$26,520,000 including fees.
The watch was originally commissioned by Giorgio Seragnoli, who once owned the world's largest collection of Cartier timepieces.