Cartier Baignoire

Baignoire | A yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch, Circa 1965

Cartier Baignoire A yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch, Circa 1965 Dial: silvered Calibre: mechanical, 18 jewels Case: 18k yellow gold, case back secured by 4 screws Case number: 49’503 Closure: black Cartier leather strap and 18k two-colour gold folding clasp Size: 31 mm length x 22 mm width Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: none Literally translating to “Bathtub”, it’s easy to see why the Baignoire name was bestowed to this Louis Cartier design. However even though the original Oval case shape had already been created by Louis Cartier as early as 1912, it would take another several decades for the Baignoire name to become attached to it, aiding the model to eventually become the cornerstone model line that it is today. In the mid century, several of Cartier’s branches began accessing and reintroducing their old designs. This included the famed London workshop under the guidance of visionary artist Jean-Jacques Cartier, resulting in the Oval and Maxi Oval. At the same time, Cartier Paris also produced their own offering of the Baignoire. The two designs shared many traditionally Cartier design elements such as the Roman numerals and dial layout, but there are minute differences in the case shapes and signature that differentiate the two. Made in very limited quantities, as were all of Cartier’s mid-century creations, their revival during this period highlighted the potential of the shape, and laid the groundwork for its eventual mass reintroduction.卡地亞 Baignoire 黃金鑲鑽石腕錶，約1965年製