Rapper Gunna spotted wearing a Cartier

At the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, rapper Gunna made a statement appearance wearing the 18K rose gold Cartier Crash skeleton, one of the most exclusive and technically ambitious interpretations of Cartier's cult surrealist sports watch. The piece exemplifies Cartier's willingness to deconstruct its own design language for discerning collectors willing to invest at the highest level.

The Cartier Crash skeleton reference HPI00577 houses Cartier's calibre 9918 MC, a manually wound mechanical movement with approximately 40 hours of power reserve. The 18K rose gold case measures 42.5mm × 48.2mm, retaining the iconic asymmetrical, melted-watch silhouette that defines the Crash lineage since 1991. Rather than a traditional dial, the skeleton iteration features an open movement with applied hour markers and blued hands visible through the sapphire crystal. The caseback is similarly transparent, allowing unobstructed views of the mechanical architecture. Water resistance stands at 30 metres, typical for dress-sports pieces of this calibre. The black alligator leather strap with 18K rose gold tang buckle completes the package.

The 2016 skeleton Crash variant was produced in a strictly limited edition of 67 pieces across all metals—an intentional constraint that elevates its collector status beyond the already-exclusive standard Crash family. The skeleton configuration required significant engineering, as the open dial necessitated repositioning movement components and reinforcing structural integrity without sacrificing visual transparency. This version sold for approximately £380,000 (roughly $500,000 USD) at the London flagship Cartier store upon release, and secondary-market examples rarely surface, commanding similar or premium valuations today.

Gunna's choice reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth hip-hop figures toward avant-garde haute horlogerie over conventional sports watches. The Crash skeleton sits comfortably alongside pieces by Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet in serious collector circles, valued not for brand cachet alone but for its technical daring and scarcity. The rapper's public wearing validates the Cartier Crash skeleton as a statement piece for those who view watches as wearable sculpture rather than mere timekeeping.

On the grey market, 18K rose gold Cartier Crash skeleton examples command $480,000–$520,000 depending on condition and service history. Waitlist acquisition through authorised Cartier boutiques remains practically impossible; virtually all examples circulate through specialist watch dealers. The piece's relative youth and strict production limits ensure continued appreciation among ultra-high-net-worth collectors.