Baignoire Watch

THE  BAIGNOIRE  WATCH MEETS THE CLOU DE PARIS

Through a jeweller's eye, Cartier watchmakers have created an aesthetic enhanced by the emblematic Clou de Paris motif. This innovative adventure has allowed Cartier to push its creative boundaries through an unprecedented expression of its expertise.

First appearing in 1958 and officially taking its name in 1973, the Baignoire watch has been defined by constant evolution but has always remained true to its original identity. In 2023, Cartier designed an unprecedented new edition with a bangle bracelet.

Featuring the signature curves, the Cartier logo, and a winding crown adorned with a sapphire, the Baignoire codes are there for all to see. This new, original design makes for an emblematic oval-shaped jewellery watch and reflects the singularity of the Maison, which is always looking at creations through its jeweller's eye.

A NEW EDITION OF THE BAIGNOIRE, INSPIRED BY CARTIER'S JEWELLERY HERITAGE

This year, the Maison is reinterpreting the Baignoire bangle model by adorning it with the Clou de Paris motif. Already part of the Maison's stylistic repertoire by the start of the 1920s, the Clou de Paris has been a constant on Cartier creations, as demonstrated by the latest Baignoire Allongée watches and the Clash de Cartier collection. The creation of this motif represents specific craftsmanship enabling gold to be moulded while preserving the evenness of its shape and volume.

ADJUSTING THE OVAL SHAPE FOR THE CLOU DE PARIS MOTIF

From the bangle bracelet to the case and dial, the watch is now entirely adorned with the Clou de Paris motif. This sensorial motif adds rhythm and structure, magnifies volumes and creates a truly architectural geometry aesthetic, making for a playfully tactile surface. It’s crafted in monochrome gold to ensure seamless continuity between the bracelet and the dial. The proportions have been adjusted and reshaped to ensure that the motif fits the curves as closely as possible. Attention to detail can be seen in elements as intricate as the yellow gold push-buttons on the clasp, which blend into the curve of the bracelet.

THE COUP D’ÉCLAT

Cartier master jewellers give the piece all its lustre during the polishing phase. Carried out entirely by hand, this finishing stage requires the utmost precision in order to respect, and enhance, the relief and definition of the Clou de Paris motif.

AN ULTRA-PRECIOUS EDITION

Now more dazzling than ever, Cartier's new diamond design on this edition represents a true technical feat of gem-setting. With its 100 brilliant-cut diamonds, the snow setting on the dial creates a changing play of light. On the case, Cartier has opted for an inverted setting for diamonds with a slightly less pronounced tip. Throughout the piece, the diamonds and the Clou de Paris motif create a harmony of volumes in relief. This is a watch that breaks the rules and captivates the imagination.