The Pasha de Cartier is Cartier's round, sporty-elegant wristwatch, first launched in 1985 with a design credited to Gérald Genta and relaunched in 2020 in a larger and a smaller case, in steel or gold. It is the collection to look at if you want a Cartier that is round rather than rectangular and has a bolder, more modern feel than a Tank. This guide covers the sizes, the chronograph and skeleton versions, and how the Pasha compares with Cartier's other families. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk: every watch mentioned here is sourced to order, not held in stock.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Specifications are summarized from public sources including Haute Time's report on the 2020 relaunch and Watchonista's coverage of the chronograph; always confirm details against the exact reference.
What is the Pasha de Cartier?
It is a round Cartier watch with a distinctive crown and square-cornered Vendôme lugs, a lug shape Louis Cartier is credited with designing and patenting in 1934. The modern line dates to 1985 and is usually attributed to Gérald Genta. Unlike the Tank, which is rectangular, the Pasha is built around a circle, which is why it reads as the casual, sportier option in the Cartier range. A popular story links the name to a 1930s watch made for a Marrakech pasha, but that origin is disputed, so treat it as folklore rather than documented fact.
What sizes does the Pasha de Cartier come in?
The core relaunch offers two sizes: a larger 41 mm case and a smaller 35 mm case. Both come in stainless steel or gold, and the 41 mm model carries a date window between four and five o'clock. The Pasha de Cartier collection is organized by size so you can compare. Case size changes how the watch wears more than the numbers suggest, because the Pasha has a large crown and a flat, wide dial.
| Version | Case size | Functions | Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time and date, smaller | 35 mm | Hours, minutes, seconds | 2020 relaunch |
| Time and date, larger | 41 mm | Hours, minutes, seconds, date | 2020 relaunch |
| Chronograph | 41 mm | Chronograph with date | 2021 |
| Skeleton | 41 mm | Open-worked dial and movement |
What is the Pasha de Cartier chronograph?
It is a 41 mm Pasha with a stopwatch function, launched in 2021 on Cartier's in-house 1904-CH MC movement. Cartier describes the case as polished, with a sapphire case back, a rotating bezel and two push-pieces set with cabochons, a nod to the first Pasha chronographs. Published specifications for the movement cite a power reserve of around 47 hours, but check the exact figure for the reference you are considering. Steel and gold versions share the same QuickSwitch strap system, so a bracelet and a leather strap can be swapped without tools. Browse the Pasha de Cartier chronograph collection, or see how it looks in gold in this Pasha de Cartier chronograph in yellow gold with a silver dial, WGPA0017.
What is the Pasha de Cartier skeleton?
The skeleton Pasha is a version with the dial and movement cut away so the mechanism is visible. The 41 mm automatic model is reference WHPA0007. Cartier has also shown a gold skeleton with a flying tourbillon, which sits at a different level of complexity from the standard open-worked watch. Because skeleton dials vary by reference and material, use the Pasha de Cartier skeleton dial collection to compare the references we can source.
How is the Pasha different from the Tank and Santos?
The shape is the main difference: the Pasha is round with a large crown, the Tank is rectangular, and the Santos is a squared case with visible bezel screws. The Pasha reads as the most casual of the three, the Tank as the most formal, and the Santos as the sports-leaning one with an integrated bracelet. If you are choosing between families, our Cartier Tank models compared guide and our guide to Santos de Cartier materials cover the other two. You can see all three side by side in the wider Cartier collection.
| Family | Case shape | General character |
|---|---|---|
| Pasha de Cartier | Round, large crown, Vendôme lugs | Sporty-elegant, modern |
| Tank | Rectangular | Classic dress watch |
| Santos de Cartier | Square-leaning, visible bezel screws | Sports watch with integrated bracelet |
Which Pasha should you choose?
Choose the 41 mm time-and-date model for an everyday watch, the smaller case if you prefer a slimmer fit, the chronograph if you want a tool function with a sportier dial, and the skeleton if the mechanics matter to you. Steel is the practical default, while gold changes the character and the price tier. Market behavior differs by model, and our Cartier market resilience guide explains how Cartier values tend to hold up. Whatever you pick, ask for the exact reference, case material and strap before you decide.
Quick answers
What does the Pasha de Cartier look like?
It is a round watch with a large crown, squared Vendôme-style lugs, a date window on the 41 mm model and bold blued sword hands. It has no diving bezel, so it reads as a dress-sport watch rather than a tool watch.
What sizes does the Pasha de Cartier come in?
The main relaunch sizes are 41 mm and a smaller 35 mm case. Confirm the size of any specific reference before you buy.
Is there a Pasha de Cartier chronograph?
Yes. A 41 mm chronograph arrived in 2021 on Cartier's in-house 1904-CH MC movement, in steel and gold, with a sapphire case back.
Is there a skeleton Pasha de Cartier?
Yes. There is a 41 mm automatic skeleton and a gold skeleton with a flying tourbillon. Reference numbers and movements vary, so verify the exact one.
Related reading: Cartier Tank Models Compared, Santos de Cartier Materials and Zidane's Cartier Pasha Auction.
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