Review Pasha de Cartier Chronograph

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Adored by many, ranked at the icon status, the royal blood Pasha is presented today as a chronograph. The Cartier Pasha de Cartier 41mm Chronograph was launched during Watches and Wonders 2021 and is here to stand out, while at the same time, respects the Cartier watchmaking tradition.

Pasha de Cartier is one of those pieces that made history, being loved equally by the occasional wearers and hard-core collectors equally. Arrived in Cartier‘s “public” permanent collection in 1943. In 1985, the Pasha was reborn in the design that is now familiar, under the assistance of the one and only Gerald Genta. In the last 35 years, Pasha knew several complications (including perpetual calendar) and small design variations but all lead to what is now a set of iconic characteristics. The model we see today bears all the known features, some with a bit o modern retouch.

Let’s have a look:

Pasha de Cartier 41mm Chronograph

In an ultra short description, the Pasha de Cartier 41mm Chronograph is a 41mm steel case watch with a fluted crown cap, crown and push-pieces set with synthetic spinels, silvered flinqué dial, blued-steel diamond-shaped hands, steel bracelet with “SmartLink” adjustment system, second strap in dark grey alligator leather strap, interchangeable steel deployant buckle powered by the chronograph manufacture mechanical movement with automatic winding, Calibre 1904-CH MC.

The Pasha case

The characteristic feature of this watch is the round case. The 41mm steel case stands out with its “Vendome” strap/bracelet mounting system and the screwed crown cap. To this can be added the rotating steel bezel with inclined design and engraved diver style markings.

Of course, the blue cabochon is present not only on the cap and chronograph pushers but also on the crown itself. The crown with a deep hobnail pattern offers an exceptional grip for setting and winding.

The historical water protection (the reason why this watch was born) is set to 100m and the screwed protection and metal bracelet makes it an exceptionally refined vacation watch. Although I would not go deep diving with this baby. The watch features the new QuickSwitch being offered with a steel bracelet (SmartLink size adjustment) and a grey alligator leather strap (both well visible in the gallery at the end of the article.

A superb Pasha guilloché dial

Just looking at the dial, one can recognise the Pasha by the large Arabic numerals and the central square. Due to the subdials, the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock received the small baton applied indexes as the rest of the dial. Except for the familiar triangle present at 12 o’clock. These elements are now present (with a bit of variation) in most of the recently launched Pashas. The blue hands make a nice show on the silvery flowered guilloché dial.

Cartier opted for a horizontal chronograph display with 30 minutes counter on the right and 12 hours counter on the left. The lower position was reserved for the running seconds. I might say this is a smart and intuitive display, easier to comprehend than other tri-compax.

All subdials are stepped down and present their own circular pattern and printed indexes. The date indication has a classic position for a chrono – between 4 and 5 o’clock. The legibility is excellent and the chrono function is lovely to use.

Calibre 1904-CH MC

Pasha de Cartier Chronograph is powered by the in-house automatic calibre 1904-CH MC. This is a column weel configuration with a vertical clutch that offers a nice chrono feel but also ensures no drop in the balance’s wheel amplitude. These contribute to the chronometric characteristic while keeping the precise and pleasant actuation of the pushers.

The 4Hz escapement is supplied from a twin-barrel system but offers only 47 hours of power reserve. I suppose that the configuration was used to ensure a more consistent torque but due to reduced barrel size, the running time was also reduced. A lovely detail is the “C” tunning fork.

When it comes to finishes, I have to admit I am a bit disappointed. The movement was designed with ValFeurier (the manufacturer of in-house calibres for some of the Richment brands – yes, I know – strange to say that but this is how things work), and it is machine finished. The price might justify the lack of more serious finishes, but I think more attention to details will be welcome). Don’t get me wrong, the details are nice and well-executed but I think it lacks the sweetness and care specific to a Maison as Cartier.

Pasha de Cartier 41mm Chronograph – conclusions

One of the most beautiful diver-inspired sports watches, Pasha de Cartier has a lot to offer. The legendary case and dial full with specific Cartier details is a true pleasure on the wrist. Every time I wear a Pasha I feel a bit different but good, being a bit of a niche. The Chronograph is no exception. Pleasent on the bracelet and very comfortable on the strap, the QuickSwitch assures you can wear both according to your mood.

The Pasha de Cartier 41mm Chronograph can be a sporty touch to a more serious attire or a rather elegant addon to a sporty fit. It is versatile and universally accepted as whatever since it is simply a gorgeous piece. Priced on the German market at €9.600, the watch is well integrated into its segment.