Unique White‑Gold Cartier Cheich Sets New Auction Record at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $3.4 Million
A unique white‑gold Cartier Cheich set a new auction record by selling for HKD 26,500,000 (approximately USD 3.4 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on September 18 2026, far surpassing previous Cartier watch sales. Commissioned in 2010 by collector Giorgio Seragnoli, it is the only Cheich ever made entirely in 18K white gold and the sole piece unrelated to the original Cartier Challenge race, making it an unparalleled rarity among the five known examples. The watch features a jeweled quartz movement and a distinctive case inspired by the desert race’s headscarf, measuring 38 mm × 27 mm and presented with its certificate, box, and a brown leather strap on a white‑gold folding clasp. Its record‑breaking price highlights strong demand for exclusive, historically significant timepieces and establishes the white‑gold Cheich as the most valuable Cartier wristwatch ever sold at auction.
Buying Time Analysis: This story is important because it marks a historic auction milestone, showcasing the unique white‑gold Cartier Cheich as the most valuable Cartier wristwatch ever sold, highlighting its rarity, provenance, and the evolution of collectible watch values.
