Visual Description
The Ref. 820904 is a 38 mm Pasha in 18k yellow gold. Monaco Legend describes the round case with Vendôme-type lugs, a graduated unidirectional bezel and a blue cabochon screw over the crown, fixed to the case by a small chain. Antiquorum adds a case back secured by eight screws and a sapphire crystal.
Dials are cream or ivory: cream with quarter Arabic numerals, a central square with a minute track border and a date at 4 o'clock on Monaco Legend's example, and ivory with painted Breguet numerals, luminous indexes and luminous blued steel lozenge hands on one sold by Antiquorum. Two Antiquorum examples carry a removable protective grille in 18k yellow gold.
Reference Significance
The 820904 belongs with the gold Pashas of the late 1980s. The Ref. 820903 has the same 38 mm case, graduated bezel and cal. 2824-2 and is cataloged on leather straps without a grille. The examples of the 820904 found are on a gold Cartier bracelet or carry a gold grille.
Historical Context
Monaco Legend dates its example, case number 0198, to 1987 and sold it with its original yellow gold Cartier bracelet. Antiquorum dates two Grille examples to the 1990s, one on leather with an 18k yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp. No source found gives the year the reference was introduced or discontinued.
What to Look For
Check that the case back reads 820904. Catalogs print a four-digit number beside it that varies from watch to watch, and Antiquorum also prints 1987, a stamp rather than another reference.
Ask for a photograph of the movement, which catalogs give as the cal. 2824-2, and check that the cabochon cap screws down over the crown with its chain in place. On a Grille example, check that the gold grille is present and seats securely.
