Cartier “Cheich”, also known as Cartier Paris-Dakar.

In 1977, pilot Thierry Sabine got lost in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice rally. He was found 3 days later with his motorcycle.

Two years later, he organized the Paris-Dakar rally. During a dinner with the president of Cartier at the time, Mr. Alain Dominique Perron, he evokes his desire for a watch in the colors of racing.

After several drawings, Alain Dominique decided to give the case a Cheich look, to recall the race logo. Thierry Sabine adheres to the concept, and two “Cheich three golds” were made, one in pink gold and the other in white gold, with a Cartier crown.

Two people won these watches: Hubert Auriol and Gaston Rahier, both on motorcycles in the early 80s. Gaston even declared in an interview that the watch was one of the best gifts he received in his life.

Cartier estimated these watches at $180,000 in 2011, a price that must have skyrocketed since, as these models are so rare.