The Cartier Cheich was a bespoke trophy watch awarded to rally driver Gaston Rahier after he won the Paris-Dakar Rally in consecutive years. Sotheby’s later reported that Rahier’s example sold in September 2022 for €1,003,000. The often-repeated description “one of only three” needs qualification: three examples were reported known, but a possible fourth has been mentioned without verification.
What is the Cartier Cheich?
The Cheich is a sculptural gold watch created for the Cartier Challenge associated with the Paris-Dakar Rally. It was a prize for a competitor who won the rally in consecutive years in the same vehicle category, rather than a model offered as a regular retail watch. Fratello’s 2022 account says Cartier CEO Alain Dominique Perrin approached rally founder Thierry Sabine with the challenge around the fifth Paris-Dakar, in 1983. Fratello’s 2022 preview
Why did Gaston Rahier receive it?
Belgian motorcyclist Gaston Rahier won the Paris-Dakar in 1984 and again in 1985, meeting the challenge’s consecutive-win condition. Fratello reports that he received the Cheich as his award. The challenge ended after Sabine died in a helicopter crash in Mali during the 1986 event, according to the same account.
How is the watch designed?
The case evokes the silhouette of a Tuareg figure on the rally logo and the traditional head covering called a cheich. Fratello describes it as a combination of white, rose, and yellow 18-karat gold. A dress-watch dial sits within the sculpted folds, with a rectangular minute track, baton and Roman numeral markers, and a blue cabochon crown.
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Instead of conventional lugs, the leather strap passes through the rear of the case. Fratello reported the original strap and a bespoke presentation box with Rahier’s watch; the box bears “Trophee Paris Alger Dakar” in gold script.
How many Cartier Cheich watches were made?
Fratello reported three known Cheich watches: Rahier’s award, one intended for a potential female winner, and a third made in 1985 for another person who achieved the challenge. The other two were said to remain in Cartier’s historical collection. That is a published account of known examples, not an undisputed manufacturing record.
Rank #2
- Classic Dainty Design:25mm diameter samll square case with vintage roman numerals on dial,suitable for diverse dressing needs, from business formal to casual wear.
- Precise Timekeeping: Equipped with a Japanese imported movement, provides accurate and reliable time keeping, according to experimental data, the battery life can last up to 24 months
- Stainless Steel Or Leather Band: We provide steel band and leather strap options,and the watch packed with a screwdriver that can adjust the steel band length from 13.5cm to 19.5cm, suitable for most of women’s wrist
- Water Resistant For Daily Use: Equipped with stainless steel case back, and all watches undergo water resistant testing. It is suitable for daily use, such as washing hands, raining, However, it is not suitable for diving, swimming, bathing
- Vacuum Ion Plating Technology enhances durability, helping resist fading and keeping the watch looking newer for longer
Fratello also noted talk of a possible fourth Cheich associated with Hubert Auriol, while describing it as considered lost if it existed. Sotheby’s has used the less exact phrase “only a handful of examples.” On the available accounts, “one of three known” is more careful than stating as fact that exactly three were ever made. Sotheby’s retrospective
What did the Cartier Cheich sell for?
Fratello’s July 12, 2022 preview gave Sotheby’s Paris estimate for Rahier’s watch as €200,000–€400,000. Sotheby’s 2026 retrospective reports that it sold in September 2022 for €1,003,000. The estimate was the pre-sale range; the latter figure is Sotheby’s reported sale result. The available account does not establish a precise sale day or a hammer-versus-buyer’s-premium breakdown. Fratello’s 2022 estimate · Sotheby’s reported result
Rank #3
- Unique Vintage Design：The watch features a vintage roman numeral dial paired with an innovative concealed crown at 3 o’clock, Fashionable and Simple, suitable for various occasions such as business and leisure
- Solid Stainless Steel Band：We offer solid stainless steel band or genuine leather straps to choose from, adjustable in length from 14cm to 20cm with the tool we provided
- Accurate Time Keeping: Japanese quartz movement provides precise and reliable time keeping, battery life extends up to 2 years at most
- Vacuum Ion Plating Technology：its durable coating resists fading to maintain long-lasting brilliance
- Water Resistant For Daily Use: stainless steel case back and hardened glass crystal protects against rain, handwashing splashes, and accidental water exposure, but not suitable for diving or swimming
What makes the Cheich notable to collectors?
Its appeal is not just that it is a rare Cartier. The watch joins an unusual case form and three-color gold construction to a specific sporting achievement, a bespoke award context, and an identifiable recipient. Those factors make provenance and originality especially relevant when assessing an example.
Sotheby’s identifies case shape, dial originality, proportion, material, condition, provenance, and production rarity as useful axes for evaluating collectible Cartier watches. These are comparison considerations, not a formal appraisal of Rahier’s watch or evidence of future investment performance. Sotheby’s Cartier watch collecting guide
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- Fit wrists size from 5 to 8 inches
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- Package Included: Kevisae rubber watch band strap for 20mm cartier watch with silver buckle, free spring bar removal tool
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Rank #4
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- The screwdriver adopts ergonomic design, making it more comfortable and simple to use made of high quality steel The screw driver is special for cartier ballon bleu pasa santos watch back screw and the band screw . It has a 1.20mm blade for easy removal of screw.
- Package Includes:1 piece of SCREWDRIVER
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