Cartier Baignoire Mini

The Cartier Baignoire, which literally means bathtub in French, has been the subject of some much deserved praise and styling within the past year. Released in 1957, it quickly gained popularity thanks to the French actress Catherine Deneuve (and Mrs. Robinson via The Graduate, which I just noticed!). Its oval shape satisfied a desire for something decidedly more whimsical than the angular Tank, while retaining the understated elegance Cartier is known for. Fit for both men and women (hunky American actor James Garner wore one in his day, and it was recently styled in Aimé Leon Dore’s SS23 campaign), this watch is versatile and, simply… fun! And we love it in the mini case shape with the backwinder (you’ll notice the crown is missing from this case, as opposed to on the larger versions), providing for a truly clean design and wear.   

THE BASICS

DATE OF BIRTH: Circa 2000

MATERIAL: Eighteen carat yellow gold with a black alligator strap and gold deployant clasp

SIZE: 18.5MM aka TEENY TINY 

MOVEMENT:  Quartz

CONDITION:  Excellent. Original cartier band and eighteen carat deployant buckle

BOX/PAPERS: Yes/Yes

THE NITTY GRITTY: 

This solid eighteen carat yellow gold case is in excellent condition. The original, separate, setting pin is present with the iconic cabochon sapphire set into it. The dial is the original white painted enamel with printed black Roman Numerals and sword shape blued steel hands. The hidden signature is present at the ten o’clock position. It is signed “Swiss”  below the six o’clock numeral.

The watch is powered by a Cartier signed quartz Swiss-made movement, keeping excellent time.

The watch comes with the original, fully signed, solid eighteen carat yellow gold deployant folding buckle. The black alligator Cartier band is in excellent condition. The watch comes with its original Cartier paperwork and red leather tooled Cartier box.

Of all the Cartier watches that are gaining in popularity at the moment, this is perhaps the most desirable and difficult to source. Without the winding crown on the side of the case, one really does get to enjoy the original design inspiration behind the shape of this most recognizable watch, the classic french bathtub! When looking back through film and still imagery, it is quite wonderful to see how many of the world’s leading men and women loved this watch. That love is certainly carrying on today.

All watches are protected against mechanical failure under a 1 year warranty by Foundwell.