Designed in 1985, the Pasha de Cartier wristwatch – instantly recognizable by its big, bold round case and its crown cover – now ranks among the Maison’s emblematic timepieces.
Cartier has a long tradition of distinctively shaped watches. In 1985 it took the watchmaking world by surprise when it introduced a wristwatch with a rounded case and assertive design: the Pasha de Cartier. This name pays tribute to Pasha El Glaoui of Marrakesh, a collector of fine timepieces who was the Maison’s devoted client from the 1920s through the 1950s. Also anchored within Cartier’s history through its design, this watch harked back to a 1943 water-resistant model with protective grille, kept in the Cartier Collection.
The Pasha watch is characterized by strong lines and eye-catching contours. In an original fusion, it combines emblematic Cartier watchmaking design codes – a square chemin-de-fer chapter ring at the center of the dial, diamond hands, a blue cabochon on the crown, square studs on the bracelet – with new features like Arabic numerals, a chunky crown cap, and a solid gold rotating bezel.
When it appeared the Pasha watch was greatly admired, appealing as much to a female clientele as to its intended male audience. After the success of those early years, new designs were added to the collection throughout the next decade. From 1986 the Maison introduced High Jewelry watches, such as a version the following year that featured a minute repeater, perpetual calendar and moon phase. In 1995, to mark the 10th anniversary of the first Pasha watch, Cartier brought out the Pasha C featuring a steel bracelet and slimmer case. This more affordable design heralded a whole new generation of models.
In the early 2000s Cartier unveiled several versions of varying case size and aesthetics, including the Pasha 42 of 2005, the Pasha Seatimer in 2006, and 2009’s Miss Pasha.
2020 saw the beginning of a fresh chapter in the story of Pasha de Cartier, with the launch of two new unisex models. While their design continues to celebrate the Pasha’s iconic style codes, these versions stand out for their new interchangeable strap, guilloché metal dial, and reworked fluted crown.