All about the Cartier Pasha watch
Inspired by royalty, made for men, and loved by women
Design-wise, the Pasha couldn't be more different from any other watch in the brand.
With its plump, rounded case and ample-sized bezel, this sublime icon doesn't immediately lend itself to association with flashier counterparts such as the Tank Baignoir Santos.
Then there's the unusual use of stylish Arabic numerals, as opposed to the classic Roman numerals that are characteristic of Cartier watches.
And let's not forget the unique screw-down crown designed on a chain, which is unlike anything else in the world of watchmaking.
As you can see, "Pasha" is not a conformist.
Rather, it's like the proverbial square peg in a round hole.
In fact, the dial design really features a square within a circle.
We'd be willing to bet that from the start, this watch was never designed to blend in.
Royal Legacy
"Pasha" was a title given to Ottoman officials and was the equivalent of a British knighthood.
Introduced in 1985 , Cartier's watch "Pasha" was named in honour of the Pasha of Marrakech, a lifelong client of Louis Cartier.
Oversized, waterproof and generously housed in a yellow gold case, this watch takes design inspiration from an older model dating back to 1943 .
Nevertheless, Cartier's Pasha exuded a contemporary air, and its design embodied the sporty, luxury lifestyle that was burgeoning at the time.
The chain therefore features a screw-down crown.
This unconventional character and deliberate play with opposing shapes demonstrate the watch's designer's truly unique aesthetic.
That designer was none other than the exceptional watch designer Gerald Genta.
In fact, 13 years after he created the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Genta collaborated with Cartier to create the first "Pasha."
This raises a question.
Did the Pasha generate the enthusiasm that other Genta designs, like the Royal Oak, have always seen?
That may be true.
However, I don't think that's the case.
The Pasha was inspired by royalty and was originally designed for men, but quickly became a favorite with women all over the world.
The watch was also famously featured on the cover of a women's magazine, where it was photographed up close on a man's shirt cuff.
Back in the '90s , it was even the watch of choice for fashion magazine editors.
Looking to the future
Thirty-five years after its debut, the Pasha continues to inspire and amaze us, even as Cartier unveils its new ambassadors.
The Ambassadors are a unique group of five people, all known for never blindly adhering to tradition, but instead embracing new definitions of beauty and success.
They embody the Pasha, a new, evolved, contemporary and luxurious watch that also embodies a unique story.
The new Pasha model features a sapphire crystal back that reveals the 1847 calibre movement.
It's also slimmer and sleeker, and comes with interchangeable straps or bracelets.
The bracelet is equipped with the Cartier SmartLink automatic adjustment system.
You can also enjoy a doubly precious crown that is set with not one but two sapphire cabochons ( or a spinel ) .
There is a small hidden space underneath the chain where you can have your initials engraved, making this watch truly unique to you.
It is this striking design that has made the Pasha a sublime icon since its inception.
With a masterful combination of curves and edges that exude strength, this is a watch that is worthy of its time in the spotlight and is truly a joy to watch.
As I said at the beginning, it's not designed to blend in.
