Cartier Vendôme Must - Large model - c. 1990

Vendôme: a meeting at the heart of creation

Description

The Cartier Vendôme? As elegant and timeless as the Place itself. Its perfectly rounded case, almost uninterrupted, recalls the purest expression of a watch’s form. The strap, attached to the case by delicate horizontal lugs, seems to barely hold the watch in place.

Its Must version in gold plating gives this watch two key qualities: first, a more accessible price point than its solid-gold counterpart, and above all, a break from the classic Cartier dial codes (railway-track minute scale, blued hands, white dials, and so on). This Grand Model Vendôme Must is particularly refined and elegant. Its cream-coloured dial features two golden circles framing an alternating pattern of Roman numerals and slender lozenge-shaped hour markers.

It also offers a beautiful presence on the wrist while remaining slim and extremely comfortable. This comfort is further enhanced by the presence of a Cartier deployant clasp in gold-toned steel.

How to wear it?

This Cartier Vendôme is truly perfect for any occasion. Neither too formal nor too casual, it is especially well suited to everyday life, a true city watch. Thanks to its cream dial, it offers a lovely alternative to the classic yellow-gold Vendôme, traditionally found only with a white dial. A tone that also pairs effortlessly with a wide range of leather strap colours.

Why did Françoise choose it?

Like the Place that shares its name, the Cartier Vendôme evokes luxury and subtlety. Françoise loves its fine lines, the elegance of its Roman numerals, and its discretion. The Vendôme also allows Cartier to offer a round-dial model, still relatively rare for a Maison best known for its shaped watches.

This version is not often seen on the wrists Françoise encounters in Paris. Moreover, its 30 mm diameter makes it a truly unisex model.

History

As early as 1934, Louis Cartier patented a new way of attaching leather straps: on either side, a horizontal bar fits into a central loop fixed to the case.

The Cartier Vendôme was introduced around 1973, as a tribute to the Parisian Place of the same name, a historic meeting point for jewellers and watchmakers. The two lugs are said to evoke the two streets leading to Place Vendôme: rue de la Paix and rue de Castiglione.

During the same period, Cartier launched its Must collection in gold plating and silver, offering the Maison’s iconic designs at more accessible prices for a younger audience.