Cartier Vendôme Must Silver - c. 1990

Vendôme: a meeting at the heart of creation

Description

The Vendôme from Cartier? As elegant and timeless as the Place! The very round, almost uninterrupted case recalls the simplest watch form. The strap, connected to the case by thin horizontal attachments, seems barely to hold the watch. And of course, a religious respect for the Cartier codes: railroad minute scale, blued hands and a winding crown adorned with a sapphire cabochon. Absolute finesse!

The Must version always offers originality. This version is therefore neither solid gold nor gold-plated. This is the less common silver version. The hands and the elongated blue Roman numerals go very well with silver. This Must version offers two qualities: of course, a more contained budget than its big sister in solid gold and a dial so original that one would not find on the solid gold version.

Why did Françoise choose it?

Just like the Place of the same name, the Cartier Vendôme evokes luxury and its subtlety. A discreet model with fine lines. That's why we have complete confidence in it. The Vendôme also allows us to offer a model with a round dial, which was then uncommon at Cartier, known for its "shaped" watches.

Françoise loves the Must line for its younger, more relaxed take on Cartier watchmaking. She also enjoys introducing more accessible alternatives to the classic solid gold line, particularly in silver. The combination of silver, the quartz version, and the smaller size make this Cartier Vendôme a discreet, practical, and everyday watch.

History

As early as 1924, Louis Cartier conceived the Trinity ring, featuring three golds. This blend of gold tones would accompany the Maison in many of its products, including jewelry, pens, lighters, and sometimes, watches!

In 1934, Louis Cartier patented a new way of straping watches : a horizontal bar was inserted directly into a central buckle attached to both sides of the case.

The Cartier Vendôme was introduced around 1973 as a tribute to the Parisian place of the same name, a meeting place for jewelers and watchmakers. The two lugs are said to evoke the two streets leading to Place Vendôme: Rue de la Paix and Rue de Castiglione. In the same years, Cartier launched its Must collection in gold-plated and silver options, offering the iconic designs of the house at more attractive prices for younger clientele.