The legendary Cartier Cheich, a watch with a history full of triumphs and tragedies, will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in Paris next September during the Luxury Edit sales series.
It is one of the rarest and most amazing watches of all time that was awarded to the legendary driver Gaston Rahier at the 1985 Dakar Rally for winning the Cartier Challenge, the most demanding race in the world.
In this article we will discover the story behind what, in my opinion, can be considered one of the most beautiful and particular watches of all time.
The history of the Cartier Cheich
This real watchmaking unicorn, produced in 1983, was the result of the legendary collaboration between Cartier and one of the most famous transnational races in the world, the Paris-Dakar (today known above all as the Dakar Rally).
A fundamental contribution to the creation of this watch was made by the two men behind these brands: Alain Dominique Perrin, then president of Cartier, and Thierry Sabine, driver and founder of the Dakar Rally.
Their idea was to reward the winner of the Cartier Challenge with a bespoke watch: the Cartier Cheich, precisely.
In order to win the competition and, at the same time, the Cartier Cheich, the contender had to win the race twice for two consecutive years, a feat so extraordinary that it was considered almost impossible.
The driver who succeeded in this amazing feat was Gaston Rahier, who won the challenge in 1984 and 1985 thus becoming the first and only winner of the Cartier Challenge and the recipient of the Cartier Cheich watch as a trophy.
Designed by Jacques Diltoer, the then Creative Director of Cartier and Perrin, this fantastic timepiece was inspired by the rally logo with the stylized face of a Tuareg wearing a “cheich”, a traditional piece of cloth around the garment as protection from the Sun.
Only four examples of this model were created: of the first two examples, one was honored to Gaston Rahier and another was created for a potential female winner.
A third example was created two years later from the realization of the first ones, in 1985, for another possible future champion.
The fourth and last specimen, currently considered lost, was offered to Thierry Sabine by Alain-Dominique Perrin.
It is thought that this watch may have subsequently been donated to Hubert Auriol, a famous French motorcycle racer. 1986 would mark both the end of the Cartier Challenge and the end of production of the Chartier Cheich.
Unfortunately, towards the end of the Paris-Dakar Rally of the same year, Thierry Sabine was the victim of a helicopter accident caused by a sandstorm. Although the rally competition ran its course that year, none won the Cartier challenge which was subsequently canceled, having been held for only four years.
With the exception of the specimen that will be auctioned at Sotheby’s, offered by the family of Gaston Rahier, the other two Cartier Cheich watches are found in the Cartier collection.
While all three share the same design, each features unique design details: the women’s one is smaller in size and set with diamonds, while the third watch face incorporates elongated Roman and baton indexes and no rails.
Gaston Rahier
Born in 1947 in Chaineux, Belgium, he is considered one of the greatest motorsport champions in history.
The “little man with the reputation of a giant”, nickname given to him for his short stature of 1 meter and 57 cm, has won several times the most important international racing competitions.
Unfortunately, in 1982 he had a terrible accident during a race where he nearly cut his hand. However, unlike what was predicted by the doctors, thanks to his immense determination, the following year he resumed rallying.
1983 is the year of his first participation in the Paris Dakar; unfortunately, following a crash, he had to abandon the rally. The following year he re-entered and won the competition before winning the next edition again in 1985.
Gaston Rahier was the first non-French to win the Paris Dakar and the only one to win the Cartier Challenge.
Estimate and further information on the Cartier Cheich
The watch, presented in excellent condition, will be exhibited in Paris on 30 September, before the auction. The estimate for this watchmaking unicorn is between € 200,000 and € 400,000. The watch is delivered with its original box: a bespoke presentation case in the legendary Cartier red with gold details.
Another element of uniqueness of this watch is given by its box with a curved triangular shape, which makes it different from any other. Inside, the top is marked “Trophée Paris Alger Dakar” under Cartier’s signature.
And you, what do you think of this incredible Cartier?
Let us know in the comments and, as always, I invite you to follow our Instagram page so as not to miss any live updates from the world of watchmaking.
