No, it’s not a Tank. And yes, it deserves your attention!
While Parisian jeweler to the stars Cartier may be best known in horological circles for its famed Tank watches, the French firm produced — and continues to produce — numerous other models that deserve equal billing for their unique and sumptuous designs.
The Baignoire — or ‘bathtub,’ for us troglodytes — is a collection that dates all the way back to 1906. Elegantly rounded with a thick, wide bezel, The Baignoire still exists in the current Cartier lineup as a series of svelte ladies’ watches whose proportions and executions simply ooze elegance.
This particular example dates back to the early 2000s and features a solid 18K white gold case with a factory-set diamond bezel, back time setting mechanism, sapphire crystal, a creamy eggshell-white dial with printed black Roman indices and a matching 'sword' handset, and is fitted to a stunning stylized solid gold bracelet with a hidden, double fold-over deployant clasp.
Several watches from different manufacturers have taken on the serpentine aspect of the Baignoire over the years — but there’s something about the original that betrays a thorough understanding of how to execute elegance perfectly.