Cartier Baignoire Quartz 1954

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The Cartier Baignoire is based on an unnamed design from 1912 that was gifted by Louis Cartier to Russian Grand Duchess Pavlovna. The model was only released to the general public in 1957 under the ‘baignoire’ moniker, from the French word for bathtub. Fittingly, this elegant ladies model gives us the same fuzzy feeling as slipping into a warm bathtub! The Baignoire takes the traditional round watch shape but stretches and curves it into an evocative feminine design. Together with the slim strap that is hidden under the case, the Baignoire gives the impression of a watch merrily floating on top of the wrist. This 18k yellow gold Baignoire measures 31 x 22 mm, a perfect ladies size that is neither hefty nor diminutive. The dial has a silvery white hue and sports Cartier’s ‘hidden’ signature in the numeral at the 10 o’clock position. As tradition dictates, the crown is topped by an exquisite blue sapphire cabochon. The watch comes on a blue alligator leather strap with an 18k yellow gold Cartier ardillon buckle.

Introduction

Cartier  Louis-François Cartier took over his master’s jewellery workshop in 1847. Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business and expanded the brand by opening shops in New York and London. King Edward VII of the United Kingdom granted Cartier a prestigious royal warrant in 1904, calling the brand “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.” Such was the renown of Cartier, that royal warrants soon rolled in from all over the world (among which, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, Siam, Spain, Portugal, and Russia). While Cartier is known primarily for its jewellery, it also has a storied history in watchmaking. Cartier’s first foray in watchmaking came in 1888, offering exclusively ladies models. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave his friend and Brazilian aviation pioneer Santos Dumont a watch to wear during his flights. Until then, wrist watches were worn exclusively by women and men opted for the traditional pocket watch. The ‘Santos-Dumont’ was not only the first wristwatch geared towards men but also the first pilot’s watch. Cartier Baignoire The feminine 'Baignoire' watch has changed little since the model was launched in the early 1960s. The beautiful curved case follows the natural curve of the wrist making for a comfortable yet elegant fit.

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.