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Cartier reimagines the Baignoire through its jeweller’s eye, dressing the iconic oval watch in the Maison’s signature Clou de Paris motif for a far more architectural expression!

For almost 53 years, Cartier’s Baignoire watch has undergone constant evolution, keeping pace with modern standards while also elevating the collection through elegant design. The Baignoire first appeared in 1958 and officially took on the Baignoire name in 1973. The collection was given this name because Cartier felt the elongated oval case resembled a bathtub, which is what “Baignoire” translates to in French.

While the Baignoire watch has seen many different designs over the decades, in 2023, Cartier released an unprecedented new addition with the bangle bracelet. Featuring the signature curves, the Cartier logo, and the signature winding crown adorned with a sapphire, the Baignoire codes are all there to see.

For this latest evolution of the Baignoire watch, Cartier is reinterpreting the timepiece by adorning it with the Clou de Paris motif. This motif is certainly not new to the brand, as it has been part of the Maison’s stylistic repertoire since the beginning of the 1920s and has remained a constant feature across Cartier creations throughout the decades. What makes this watch especially intriguing is that the motif is not simply applied to the dial, but extends across the entirety of the watch, requiring specific craftsmanship that allows the gold to be moulded while preserving the evenness of its shape and volume.

A New Baignoire Inspired By Cartier’s Jewellery Heritage

The beauty of this new Baignoire starts with the fact that Cartier is not simply applying a decorative motif to the pre-existing Baignoire design, but rather fully rethinking the model through a jeweller’s eye. The Maison takes the oval-shaped Baignoire bangle design and reinterprets it with the emblematic Clou de Paris motif. This new design certainly gives the Baignoire watch a whole new personality, with a much stronger jewellery identity, while still retaining the signature Baignoire codes we know so well.

What makes the case and bracelet so interesting is the way Cartier has carried the Clou de Paris motif across the entirety of the watch. From the bangle bracelet to the case and dial, the surface is fully adorned with this textured pattern, creating a cohesive, well-thought-out, and architectural look.

The Maison explains that the proportions have been carefully adjusted and reshaped so the motif fits the watch’s curves as closely as possible, which is a big part of why the design feels so well balanced. Rather than looking like separate elements have been brought together, the case, dial, and bracelet all flow as one gold composition. While the design may appear repetitive or even simplified in its construction at first glance, it is anything but, and that certainly should not be taken for granted. The blue sapphire set into the crown also stands out beautifully, adding a welcome touch of colour to an otherwise gold and radiant timepiece.

The bracelet also plays a major role in the watch’s overall identity, because this is just as much a piece of jewellery as it is a timepiece. The Clou de Paris motif brings a beautiful architectural quality that you certainly do not see every day on a watch bracelet or bangle. Cartier has even paid attention to the yellow gold push-buttons on the clasp, ensuring they blend naturally into the bracelet’s elegant curved structure rather than interrupting the overall design. And it is these minute details that make the watch feel so full of life, as though every single aspect of the timepiece has been carefully put under a microscope to be enhanced both visually and from a wearability standpoint.

And then we have the dial, where the same Clou de Paris motif continues seamlessly from the case into smaller versions that are beautifully integrated within the ‘bathtub’-shaped dial. What I find especially appealing about this Clou de Paris motif is the way it plays with light. Due to the pyramidal nature of the pattern, it interacts with light like few other finishes can, and as you can see from the images, deep shadows are created depending on the angle. This gives the dial a constantly shifting appearance, almost as if the surface is alive with movement and depth.

And it doesn’t just stop there. Cartier is also offering an ultra-precious edition of this Baignoire Clou de Paris watch, which takes the dazzling shine to a whole other level. The case and bangle feature an inverted setting for diamonds with a slightly less pronounced tip, with a total of 171 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 4.70 carats that enhance the luxurious aesthetic of the Baignoire even further.

The dial of the diamond-set piece is no different either. The Clou de Paris design has been replaced by a snow-set diamond dial that sparkles with stunning brilliance, giving the watch an even more eye-catching and luxurious look. It catches the light from every angle, further enhancing the jewellery-like feel of the timepiece.

Initial Thoughts

This is certainly one of the most visually striking jewellery-watch releases from this year’s Watches & Wonders. Cartier has taken an already elegant design and pushed it into much bolder territory by covering the bangle bracelet, case, and dial with its signature Clou de Paris motif, elevating the watch’s appearance with far more texture, depth, and wrist presence. What makes these pieces so impressive is that they do not feel like different elements simply brought together, but rather one cohesive design that is thoughtfully considered and executed brilliantly.

The monochrome gold execution gives the watch a seamless transition from bracelet to case and dial, while the beautifully polished gold surface helps the Clou de Paris motif play with light in a way that few other materials or patterns can.

And if the standard Clou de Paris Baignoire is already rich in character, the diamond-set version takes that precious feel even further with its snow-set dial and gem-set case and bracelet. To me, this is Cartier doing what it does best — blurring the line between watchmaking and jewellery in a way very few brands can match.

Reference: Cartier Baignoire Watch Clou de Paris

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: Price on request.

Availability: Availability to be announced. For more information, please head to Cartier.com.au

Reference: Cartier Baignoire Watch Clou de Paris Diamond-Set

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: Price on request.

Availability: Availability to be announced. For more information, please head to Cartier.com.au