Cartier Baignoire “Casque d'Or” Mini Yellow gold - c. 1990

Small watch, big story!

Description

How can one think about Cartier watch and not think of the Baignoire? An epitome of elegance, luxury and delicacy, the Cartier Baignoire evokes in itself the woman and the Cartier identity. It also illustrates the technical capabilities of the Maison in creating a mechanism that fits into an oval case.

The Baignoire Mini offers a smaller case than the classic one, making the technical feat even more astonishing! The other technical particularity is the absence of a crown, which allows an uninterrupted oval, like a cloud on the wrist. The time is set on the back of the watch, using a punch and a push button.

The yellow gold perfects the elegance of its petite size. It also enhances the bracelet with its "Casque d'Or" motif, transforming this watch into a precious and rare jewel. Another design as original as it is beautiful from the Maison! Its curves echo those of the case, lending movement to the watch. The alternating slightly different links testify to a great design and craftsmanship quality!

Why did Françoise choose it?

The Baignoire as such is a daily city watch and can accompany you everywhere, even more so with this mini size. The quartz movement makes it practical and precise and does not require maintenance. Be careful, however, in certain situations, its gold bracelet could attract unwanted attention.

The Baignoire is a watch with an emblematic shape from La Maison Cartier. A watch worn by many women over the years: women with confident style, women with character, women who are remembered. Françoise has worn (and made you wear!) classic size Baignoire a lot, but here is the first mini on bracelet she is offering! What made Françoise fall for it was the height of elegance of this watch: yellow gold, no crown, small size, “casque d'or” bracelet. 

History

From Catherine Deneuve to Jeanne Moreau via Romy Schneider, the Cartier Baignoire never ceases to charm.

Although Louis Cartier had already introduced an elongated watch design in the early 1900s, the iconic model we know today was born in 1958 in the Parisian Cartier workshops. A watch with feminine and sensual lines, an innovative and creative style. A few years later, the Baignoire allongée (elongated) appeared in the London studios.

If the case made of gold godrons has retained its rounded design, it nevertheless offers some variations over the years, just like the dial, sometimes decorated with Roman numerals, sometimes with Arabic numerals, and here a different size. An intrinsically elegant watch that stands the test of time without losing its aura.