Visual Description
The Ref. 2379 is the Pasha Grille — the variant that pushed the model's sports-watch identity furthest from Cartier's dress-watch roots. The defining feature is the removable protective grid that sits over the dial and beneath the bezel, creating a porthole effect that references the Pasha's nautical waterproofing heritage. The second-generation grille used on the 2379 has a domed profile that integrates smoothly with the sapphire crystal, giving the watch a layered depth when viewed from an angle.
Beneath the grille, the guilloché silvered dial carries black Arabic numerals at the quarter positions with luminous dot markers at the remaining hours. Blued steel sword hands with luminous inserts provide readability through the grid pattern — a practical consideration that influenced the choice of larger, more legible hand forms compared to the standard Pasha. A date aperture sits between 4 and 5 o'clock. The polished concave rotating bezel is uni-directional, and the signature screw-down crown cap with cabochon sapphire and security chain remains.
The T-bar lugs — a distinguishing structural detail — connect the case to the integrated steel bracelet with a combination of brushed and polished surfaces.
Reference Significance
The Grille variant represents the most distinctive visual expression of the Pasha concept. Where the standard Pasha (Ref. 2378) balanced sport and elegance, the Grille committed fully to the sport-watch aesthetic. The protective grid was not merely decorative — it was a functional reference to the original 1932 commission and the waterproofing demands that inspired the model.
For collectors, the 2379 has become the most visually recognizable vintage Pasha. The grid creates a look that is immediately identifiable on the wrist and that no other Cartier model shares. This distinctiveness has driven growing collector interest, particularly for the rarer dial variants (salmon, white) that combine the Grille's bold design with unusual color.
The dual-caliber situation — both Cal. 311B and Cal. 191 are documented in 2379 examples — suggests a movement change during the production run. This is not unusual for Cartier references with long production spans, but buyers should verify which caliber is present in any specific example.
Historical Context
The Pasha Grille evolved from an earlier Cartier design feature — protective grids appeared on select Pasha models from the late 1980s onward. The Ref. 2379 refined the concept with a second-generation domed grille that sat more flush with the crystal and case, producing a cleaner integration than earlier flat-grid designs.
The Grille positioned the Pasha as Cartier's answer to purpose-built dive watches from Rolex (Submariner) and Omega (Seamaster) — not in terms of technical dive specifications, but in terms of visual commitment to waterborne use. The grid, the screw-down crown cap, and the 100-meter water resistance combined to give the Pasha Grille a tool-watch credibility that few Cartier models could claim.
Production continued through the 1990s and into the early 2000s. Cartier has periodically revived the Grille concept in modern collections, which makes distinguishing original 1990s production from later reissues an important authentication consideration.
What to Look For
The grille is the critical authentication and condition point. It must be original to the watch — replacement grilles from later production are detectable by the grid pattern spacing, the dome profile, and the attachment mechanism. The grille should remove cleanly and reseat securely. Damaged or bent grid bars are difficult to repair without visible evidence, so inspect the grid closely under magnification.
Verify the movement through the sapphire caseback: expect either the Cal. 311B or Cal. 191, both 27-jewel automatics with rhodium plating. Confirm the reference number engraving on the caseback matches 2379.
The crown cap and security chain require the same inspection as other Pasha references: check for intact cabochon sapphire, original chain links, and smooth screw-down function. The rotating bezel should be uni-directional with firm clicks.
Be aware of the distinction between original 1990s production and modern Grille reissues. Serial number research, movement caliber verification, and bracelet construction details are the most reliable differentiators. When in doubt, request a full service history or an independent assessment from a Cartier specialist.