BTS V and Jisoo’s go-to off-duty watch, the Cartier Crash: only VVVIPs can order it, one of the rarest watches in history
Will this Sotheby’s vintage watch auction set a new record?
Sotheby’s will launch “The Shapes of Cartier,” a vintage watch auction, in Hong Kong on April 24, 2026, featuring more than 300 treasures with a total estimate exceeding US$ 15 million. The must-watch highlight is a 1987 yellow gold Cartier Crash estimated at US$ 800,000. This legendary design is also a private favorite of brand ambassadors BTS V and Jisoo, making it the star lot of the sale.
The Cartier Crash is considered a holy-grail watch, and BTS V is a fan, too!
Anyone who pays even a little attention to fashion knows how difficult the Cartier Crash is to buy. Its defining feature is its twisted oval case, which looks as though it has melted. This surreal, asymmetrical form, which defies traditional watchmaking conventions, is said to have been inspired either by the melting clocks in Salvador Dali’s paintings or by a watch deformed in a car accident.
Beyond its immense artistic value, star power has made it one of the market’s most sought-after pieces. Brand ambassador BTS V (Kim Taehyung) often wears Cartier’s classic watches in his personal life. His inherently aristocratic style is a perfect match for Cartier’s avant-garde yet elegant designs. Backed by the taste of a global heartthrob and the Crash’s extremely limited production, it has become a dream piece that fans and collectors are scrambling to own.
3 key vintage watches
This auction lineup is seriously impressive. If you’re deciding which pieces to focus on, here are three of the most representative treasures:
Cartier Crash, London watch (1987)
Price: US$400,000 – US$800,000 (approximately HK$3,120,000/NT$12,800,000)
This yellow gold version was made by Cartier’s London workshop in 1987 and is believed to have been produced in just three examples. Its distorted dial and case have a distinctly surrealist feel, making it the sale’s most iconic holy-grail piece.
Cartier Decagonal, London watch (1970-71)
Price: US$60,000 – US$80,000 (approximately HK$468,000/NT$1,920,000)
Departing from traditional round and rectangular forms, this 18K yellow gold decagonal design reflects the geometric experimentation of Cartier’s London workshop in the 1970s. Only five examples are currently known to exist, making it exceptionally rare.
Tank Asymétrique, London watch (1992)
Price: US$60,000 – US$80,000 (approximately HK$468,000/NT$1,920,000)
An asymmetrical 18K white gold case is paired with blue numeral hour markers. Its angled design was made to make the time easier to read while driving, combining ergonomics with an elegant character.
“The Shapes of Cartier” auction dates and locations
The scale of this auction is truly unprecedented. The sale brings together more than 300 Cartier timepieces of major historical significance, with a total estimate expected to exceed US$ 15 million. It will unfold in three stages, beginning at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on April 24, 2026, before moving to Geneva on May 10 and concluding in New York on June 15. If you happen to be in Hong Kong, it’s highly recommended that you experience the tangible appeal of a century of craftsmanship in person. It would be a shame to miss it.
If you’re also fascinated by these pieces steeped in history, this news will surely have you excited.
Join POPBEE Circle and subscribe to the POPBEE newsletter for the latest updates, and get early access to exclusive perks and discounts! Beyond this article, here are a few recent stories worth checking out:
- You need to get on this K-eyewear wave: Korean stars’ off-duty favorite PROJEKT PRODUKT lands in Hong Kong
- Even more alluring without a clasp: Cartier’s new Myst de Cartier watch is a refined jewelry piece that understands how to tell time
- Those obsessed with texture will fall for this detail: Cartier brings the iconic Clash jewelry studs to its handbags
