Cartier Baignoire Watch Collection

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In 2019, Cartier is revisiting its iconic Baignoire Watch Collection for ladies.

It all began with an unprecedented creative step taken to reveal the power of watchmaking design hidden in ordinary forms. Cartier took this inspiration quite literally by designing an initial oval in the 1910s that would later be transcended by several years of formal research.

 

Transforming objects and embracing beauty are two key components of Cartier’s stylistic vocabulary and here this combined approach resulted in the birth of the Baignoire watch.

Baignoire watch, small model, yellow gold, taupe alligator leather strap, quartz movement

The Baignoire watch is worn by women in the know, who embrace it for its obvious style and make it their own. It is a signature watch for women who have their sights set high, who forsake trends and fashions and choose this piece for its timeless French chic.

The evocatively named Baignoire is a cult Cartier object. The story began in 1912, when Louis Cartier took the traditional round watch shape and stretched it out. His stylistic research culminated in two straight parallel lines closed by two curves, which formed the shape of a bathtub (“baignoire” in French) – hence its name. Its aesthetics would continue to evolve until eventually adopting its familiar slightly curved oval shape in the late 1950s with a dial stamped with Roman or Arabic numerals and bordered by gold gadroons. This constituted the first stage of a creative act.

Baignoire watch small model, white gold, case set with brilliant-cut diamonds (228 diamonds, ~2.32 cts), dark blue alligator leather strap, quartz movement

Entirely reworked by Cartier’s design studio, today the Baignoire watch asserts its own eternal essence. Its exacting finishes strike a balance between pure design and sophisticated lines, paying homage to the cult 1958 model. Its design remains unchanged, yet the piece itself has evolved to offer a narrower bracelet and redesigned Roman numerals on a silvered sand-blasted background.

The case back is seamlessly integrated into the case with water resistance up to 30 m offering full conformance with modern quality standards. The Baignoire watch continues this aesthetic heritage by revealing a more dazzling presence than ever before as a graphic and sensual yellow-gold oval that adorns the wrist.

On the white-gold version, the staggered diamond setting continues along the width of the gadroons to reach the case back. Although invisible, it represents the greatest refinement.

The 1960s marked a second highlight in the history of the Baignoire watch. Swaying to the beat of “Swinging London”, the Baignoire Allongée saw the light of day in the workshops of Cartier London.

Baignoire Allongée watch, extra-large model, pink gold, dial set with brilliant-cut diamonds (293 diamonds, ~1.50 cts), dark blue alligator leather strap, manual movement 1917 MC, numbered limited edition of 100 pieces.

The Baignoire Allongée was an oversized watch that stretched along women’s wrists, combining excessive chic with supreme simplicity. This definitive watch exudes style and character while hugging the forms of the wrist.

Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, White Gold, Case, Dial And Bracelet Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (894 Diamonds, ~12.76 Cts), Manual Movement 1917 MC

The Baignoire Allongée watch marks a third chapter in this incredible story. Like a fxation, the Baignoire watch brings forth new desires, such as the yearning to give its exuberant elegance texture and relief.

Daring design creates an extravagant bezel as sculpted gold is worked into studs that adopt the shape of the clou de Paris in Cartier’s jewellery repertoire.

Model Specifications

  • Baignoire Watch Small Model, Yellow Gold, Taupe Alligator Leather, Strap Quartz Movement
  • Baignoire Watch Small Model, White Gold, Case Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (228 Diamonds, ~2.32 Cts), Dark Blue Alligator Leather Strap, Quartz Movement
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, Pink Gold, Dial Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (293 Diamonds, ~1.50 Cts), Dark Blue Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC, Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Pieces
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, Pink Gold, Dial Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (293 Diamonds, ~0.87 Cts), Dark Blue Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC, Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Pieces
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, Pink Gold, Case And Dial Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (617 Diamonds, ~4.74 Cts), Taupe Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, Pink Gold, Case And Dial Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (582 Diamonds, ~3.56 Cts), Taupe Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, White Gold, Case, Dial And Bracelet Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (894 Diamonds, ~12.76 Cts), Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, White Gold, Case, Dial And Bracelet Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (857 Diamonds, ~11.68 Cts), Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, White Gold, Case Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (304 Diamonds, ~3.11 Cts), Grey Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, White Gold, Case Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (267 Diamonds, ~2.67 Cts), Grey Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, Pink Gold, Grey Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, Pink Gold, Grey Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Extra-Large Model, Pink Gold, Case Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (304 Diamonds, ~3.11 Cts), Taupe Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC
  • Baignoire Allongée Watch Medium Model, Pink Gold, Case Set With Brilliant-Cut Diamonds (267 Diamonds, ~2.67 Cts), Taupe Alligator Leather Strap, Manual Movement 1917 MC