Cartier Pasha C

Founded in 1847, Cartier was originally a producer and designer just of fine jewelry, but they did not create their first wristwatch until 1904, when Louis Cartier designed a watch for a Brazilian pilot who was unhappy trying to handle and check his pocket watch while flying, Louis’ friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. The Cartier Santos became one of the most recognizable and iconic Cartier watch models. Initially, Cartier models incorporated movements made by other Swiss watch companies, Cartier also joined with Edward Jaeger to produce movements for Cartier timepieces.

Originally designed by Louis Cartier in 1932, the first Cartier Pasha was named for the Pasha of Marrakesh, also called “the Lord of the Atlas”. The Pasha wanted to be able to wear his watch all the time, even in the water, and the Cartier Pasha became Cartier’s first water-resistant timepiece, designed so that the Pasha could wear his watch even while bathing. The first design showcased a white dial and large Arabic numerals 3, 6, 9, and 12, still characteristic features of many modern Cartier Pasha versions. Cartier has been manufacturing Pasha watches for the general public since 1943, but Pasha watches joined the modern era in 1985 when it was redesigned by renowned watch designer Gerald Genta, who also designed the IWC Ingenieur, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, all famous models in the luxury Swiss watch world.

The 35mm Cartier Pasha model 2324 is a typical example of Pasha watches; it bears the screw-down cap and chain crown cover and the simple white dial with Arabic numerals. This version of the Pasha dates back to a period when the luminous material allowing the watch to be read in the dark contained a substance called tritium. Characteristic dots on the dial, the stick markers denoting the hours, as well as the hands, all have tritium-infused paint applied. Over the years, this material tends to age into a mellow cream or tan color, even as it loses its ability to generate light. This patina, as it’s called, lends a vintage and desirable personality to the watch. The Pasha C is powered by an ETA 2892-A2 movement, such as is used in many watches from watch manufacturers other than Cartier, including Breitling, Panerai, IWC, Omega, Hublot, Bell & Ross, and more.