Nonconformity has never looked this sexy.
Luxury house Cartier is no stranger to going against the grain of the industry. The maison marches to the beat of their own drum, and draws inspiration from the most unconventional muses. This unorthodox approach has resulted in uniquely fanciful and exquisite pieces, often with a likewise eccentric influence. Such is the case with their famed Pasha de Cartier. This 1985 cult timepiece has had an eclectic audience since its launch–it was first popular among men before being coveted by women for the power it exuded. It has since garnered the attention of people with a palate for the peculiar and the opulent, spanning from one generation of revolutionists to the next.
The original Pasha
To quote the playwright Shakespeare, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” It turns out, a name can give you a glimpse into the breadth of personality that an object or person has. For this timepiece, the name is derived from one of the most influential men in Morocco: the late Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakesh. As a great lover of watchmaking, a man of refined taste and grand generosity, a character embodying overwhelming power and progressiveness, and one of Cartier’s prestigious clients, the watch was named after him to pay homage.
Defying the rules of design
A trait that has made the Pasha a prominent creation was its anti-conformist attitude, which was handed down from the first model up to the new model to be released this September 4. The most striking feature of the Pasha is its square filigree rail-track located within the circular case. The dial consists of four large, stylised Arabic numerals and four clous de Paris. The distinguished crown is set with either a blue spinel or a sapphire, and is tucked safely behind the signature crown cover.
Crafted with you in mind
A watch is one of the most intimate belongings one could own, and the Pasha has made it more personal for you. Engrave your or your loved one’s initials under the crown cover, secret and undetectable–only to be revealed once the crown cover is unscrewed. Customize your timepiece with interchangeable straps that come in steel, yellow or pink gold, and alligator leather. These straps adopt the Cartier-developed QuickSwitch system, an invisible mechanism located under the case and is activated by a single push.
For the pioneering frondeur
Revolutionary concepts are made by those who bend the boundaries and create to innovate. Cartier has shown its radical demeanor through its continuous display of technological prowess with the Pasha. The underside of the watch reveals a sapphire crystal case back that exposes the 1847 MC automatic calibre movement. The timepiece’s adjustable metal bracelet is also made with a cutting-edge technology called the SmartLink system. This allows the bracelet length to be adjusted without the use of a tool. Each link is equipped with a push button that releases the fixing bar, allowing removal or addition of the metal links.
Take it a karat further
Options to make the timepiece truly tailored for you extends to the material of the watch itself. Take your pick of metal from steel, 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold, and 18k pink gold. Set your watch with brilliant-cut diamonds of all sizes and in varying places: bezel, crown, dial, case, bracelet, movement, and buckle.
Every minute detail about the resurgent Pasha de Cartier tells a story of singularity, and they all come together to make a defiant pièce de résistance, inspiring a new aeon of mavericks.
For more information, visit Cartier’s website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Cartier is available at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri La, and Solaire Resorts & Casino.
