Genta's other Cartier
By Priya Nair, Singapore ·
People forget the Pasha was a Gérald Genta design for Cartier in 1985, the same man behind the Royal Oak. Once you know, you see it: the round case with a square minute track inside, the slightly theatrical crown cover on its little chain.
The 2020 version is 41 mm and 9.55 mm thick, steel on a 22 mm bracelet, silver dial with date, 100 m of water resistance, and an open caseback over the 1847 MC with 42 hours. It has the QuickSwitch strap system too. Price around 7,500 to 8,100 dollars.
What puts me off is size and fuss. 41 mm round with those big Arabic numerals is a lot of watch on my wrist, and that crown cover is fiddly when you're setting the time in a hurry. Resale has been softer than the Santos. But it's more interesting than a Ballon Bleu, it actually wears quite slim for 41, and I think it looks wonderful on a man in a linen suit. Women with smaller wrists: there's a 35 mm, and it's the better choice.