Kai Cenat brought vintage haute horlogerie to the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during NBA All-Star Weekend in February 2025, wearing a stunning 18K white gold Cartier Crash Paris with factory-set diamonds. The streamer and content creator's choice of this particular Cartier Crash Paris represents an informed move beyond typical celebrity watch territory, selecting a reference that has only gained momentum in collector markets over the past two decades.
The Cartier Crash Paris Ref. 2662 entered production in the mid-1990s as Cartier's response to the original 1967 Crash, reimagined with updated proportions and modern finishing. The case measures 34.5 × 27.5 mm in 18K white gold, with the hallmark melted, asymmetrical silhouette that defines the Crash design language. The dial features applied gold hour markers and sword-shaped hands, while the factory diamond setting on this example elevates the watch into luxury sports-watch territory. Movement is the Cartier calibre 21 quartz, reliable and low-maintenance. Water resistance sits at 30 meters—a specification that reflects the Crash's positioning as a dress watch rather than a functional sports instrument. The caseback displays the hallmark Cartier inscription and reference engraving, essential for authentication of vintage examples from this production run.
The Cartier Crash Paris Ref. 2662 occupies a unique position within Cartier's sport watch lineage. Unlike the later Crash Automatic models introduced in the 2010s, the quartz Ref. 2662 carries production history spanning roughly 1995–2005, making factory diamond-set examples increasingly scarce. The white gold variant with original diamond setting commands premium valuations, as many examples suffered dial wear or underwent non-original service over three decades. Cenat's example appears to retain strong condition across case, dial, and bezel, indicating careful custodianship.
Cenat's Cartier Crash Paris choice signals a deliberate departure from the sports chronograph or steel sports watch aesthetic typically favored by younger celebrities. The Crash Paris represents maximalist design sensibility—a watch that announces itself through unconventional geometry rather than brand visibility. Its appearance at NBA All-Star Weekend, an event steeped in contemporary fashion and culture, underscores how vintage haute horlogerie has become a currency among streaming and entertainment figures seeking differentiation from mainstream luxury watch choices.
The 18K white gold Cartier Crash Paris Ref. 2236 with factory diamonds currently trades in the secondary market between $65,000 and $85,000 USD, depending on condition and provenance documentation. Original retail price in the mid-1990s approximated $45,000–$55,000. Waitlist situations are irrelevant—the watch has been out of production for two decades—but demand from collectors seeking to complete Crash reference sets remains consistent. Examples with factory diamond settings and strong dial preservation represent the segment's ceiling valuations.
