No, it’s not a Tank. And yes, it deserves your undivided attention!
While Parisian jeweler to the stars may be best known in horological circles for its famed Tank watch, the French firm produced –– and continues to produce –– numerous other watch models that deserve equal billing for their unique and sumptuous designs.
The Pasha is one such design. Launched in 1985, it was supposedly inspired by the lines of a one-off commission from 1932 for the Pasha of Marrakesh that featured a screw-down, waterproof housing over the crown. None other than famed watch designer Gérald Genta was the one who revived the design in the 1980s, launching yet another winning collection for the famed Parisian jeweler and watchmaker.
This particular example, a Reference W31023M7-2324, dates to the 1990s. It’s housed in a 35mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and features a silver guilloche, grid-pattern dial with printed ‘Arabic’ indices, applied hour markers, a date at 4:30 and a matching blued-steel ‘sword’ handset. It also features the signature sapphire cabochon cap-and-chain crown protector and is fitted to a signed multi-link bracelet equipped with a hidden dual-deployant clasp.
With a rare dial configuration and creamy even patina showing on the luminous plots and handset, this is a proper neo-vintage Cartier that is sure to turn some heads!