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T he Cartier Baignoire was one of Cartier’s first creations to break the boundaries of the watchmaking world. While the official release of the Cartier Baignoire occurred in 1957, the first unofficial Cartier Baignoire was created in 1912 when Louis Cartier took the traditional round watch shape and stretched it, creating two parallel lines enclosed by curves.
The oval-shaped watch was presented to his most prominent individual client at the time - the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia. The subsequent commercial iteration was aptly named the Cartier Baignoire after the French word for bathtub, and has retained lasting success and exclusivity throughout the 20th century and 21st centuries. Cartier has produced a number of Cartier Baignoire watches throughout the years, with the collection a mainstay in the maison's catalogue to this day.
With the breadth of references available, enthusiasts find themselves comparing vintage and modern iterations when building out their collections. Having sold thousands of Cartier watches, including many Baignoire models from across the decades, Sotheby's is on hand to support your next purchase. Join us as we explore a vintage and modern Cartier Baignoire from the upcoming Sotheby's Important Watches sale on December 6 2024.
This Cartier Collection Privée Baignoire Allongée is presented with an estimate of 30,000 - 90,000 USD in Sotheby's Important Watches sale.
When in 1912 Louis Cartier created and gifted a bespoke wristwatch to the Russian Grand Duchess Pavlovna, little did he know that he had just laid the groundwork for a future Cartier classic.
The potential behind this unnamed design was identified in 1957, after the war and just before the ‘Swinging Sixties’ where new and artistic designs flourished. The original small oval wristlet was stretched and enlarged to a bold and masculine 47mm in length, now also drastically curved to help the watch wrap around the wrist and appear more approachable to a contemporary audience. This new shape was known as the Cartier Allongée.
The size and shape may seem highly unusual and modern for the period. However, when noting that during this time Cartier also introduced other daring creations such as the Cartier Crash and Oblique, it becomes evident that this was the result of a wider renaissance period in creativity for Cartier watches.
After the creation of the Cartier Allongée, the Cartier Baignoire name and range was reintroduced sporadically and sparingly throughout the late twentieth century, much in the same way as the Cartier Crash. The present watch belongs to a very limited run of only 400 pieces, created by Cartier Paris in 1991 as part of the Collection Privée. This lot presents collectors with the opportunity to acquire a highly coveted and rare timepiece, belonging to one of Cartier’s most recognisable collections.
This Cartier Baignoire Allongee Reference 2672 is offered with an estimate of 25,000 - 75,000 USD, featuring in Sotheby's Important Watches sale in New York.
Produced in 2005, this Cartier Baignoire Allongée is not lacking in style or substance. Based on the original Cartier Allongée design conceived during a renaissance period for Cartier in 1957, this Cartier watch features a bold and contemporary 47mm case in an exaggerated elongated oval shape. The watch is generously curved allowing for it to seamlessly wrap around the wearer's wrist.
Featuring the added allure of a diamond-set case, coupled with a subtle motif dial, this Cartier Baignoire is perfect for those seeking a classic and coveted Cartier design, with added flair.
The Cartier Baignoire, whether vintage or modern, embodies the timeless elegance and innovative spirit that defines the Maison. From its inception in 1912 as a bespoke gift to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna to its evolution as a commercial icon in 1957, the Cartier Baignoire has consistently pushed the boundaries of watch design. Vintage models, like the 1991 Collection Privée Baignoire Allongée, captivate collectors with their historical significance and exclusivity, while modern iterations, such as the 2005 Reference 2672, blend classic inspiration with contemporary touches.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the choice between vintage and modern comes down to personal taste: the charm of history or the allure of modern craftsmanship. Sotheby’s Important Watches auction on December 6, 2024, offers the perfect opportunity to explore these two eras of Cartier watch design.
At Sotheby’s our experts have brought a wide range of extraordinary Cartier watches to market, making us well placed to advise clients on the sale or acquisition of a Cartier watch. Work with Sotheby's specialists and in doing so be part of our community of passionate watch enthusiasts and collectors.
Trust our worldwide network of leading Cartier specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
