Cartier Baignoire S

At Analog:Shift, we’ve always been passionate about Cartier’s more obscure watches. We love the Tank and the Santos, but recognize that there are so many lesser appreciated references that deserve our attention. Take for example this Cartier Baignoire S.

You read that correctly. To the untrained eye, many would mistake this piece for the more ubiquitous Cartier Crash. However this fantastic, ultra-rare piece is indeed a Baignoire with more curves than were used to.

The Baignoire — or ‘bathtub,’ for we Americans — is a collection that dates all the way back to 1906. Elegantly rounded with a thick, wide bezel, it still exists in the contemporary Cartier lineup as a series of svelte ladies’ watches whose proportions and executions simply ooze elegance. Once more, we see how Cartier takes inspiration from the most mundane items and elevates them to a level of refinement befitting a gentleman or lady of class.

This particular Cartier Baignoire features an elongated, ‘S’ shaped 48mm x 22mm 18K rose gold case with a curved sapphire crystal and a cabochon crown with a diamond inset. If its curvaceous silhouette wasn’t a large enough feast for the eyes, then take a gander at its factory diamond settings that wrap around the entire case. How each diamond is set, especially those that reside along the tight curves and underside of the case, are an absolute masterclass in haute joaillerie.

The silver dial features Cartier’s signature ‘exploded’ Roman numerals accompanied by a matching blued-steel handset and a hidden Cartier signature within the 7 o’clock marker set against a subtle sunburst finish.

Outfitted on a signed tan alligator leather strap with a matching rose gold, diamond set Ardillon pin buckle, this piece is appropriately powered by a manual-winding Cartier Calibre 9770 movement — the icing on the cake if you ask us!

Cartier continues to be scorching hot right now with longtime enthusiasts and those greener behind the ear flocking towards any vintage piece from the maison. The beauty however lies within the fact that there still pieces left to be discovered, even for those that have been around the horological block.

We're sure you've been introduced to the Cartier Crash. Well, consider yourself introduced to the Cartier Baignoire S — a future-classic from the maison that can arguably go tit-for-tat with the Crash in regard to jaw-dropping design and high craftsmanship.

Now take a look at how much value the Baignoire S packs compared to its famous Crash sibling. 

You're welcome.

Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of making watches.
It started in 1907, when founder Louis Cartier made what was one of the first wristwatches for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. In the following years, the brand made a name for itself with its most famous wristwatch, the Tank, in all its multitudinous forms.

Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917 — which was supposedly inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks seen on the battlefields of World War I — with a run of six pieces. (According to legend, these were given to American General John J. Pershing and his staff.) Cartier took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the watch’s lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself. That first run of six pieces increased to thirty-three by 1920, and by the end of the 20th Century, that number stood well in the hundreds of thousands. Indeed, in sheer volume alone, the Tank — in all its various models — is Cartier's largest line of watches.

The Tank Louis was introduced in 1922, followed close on the heels of the Asian-influenced Tank Chinoise. The Chinoise, released amidst a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs that resemble the portico of a Chinese pagoda.

From its debut, the Tank would see many variations, each in keeping with Louis Cartier’s taste for clean lines and perfect symmetry. Each variant — from the original Tank to the Tank Louis to the Cintrée with its flirtatious, curvaceous lines — has its passionate devotees. Rudolph Valentino, that sensual star of the silver screen, insisted on wearing his Tank onscreen in The Son of the Sheik, and Clark Gable, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were among those who sported a one throughout the years.

Other model lines, including the Santos (based upon the original model crafted for Alberto Santos-Dumont) and the Pasha, have developed devoted followers. Indeed, the maison is unique as one of the few jewelry brands to elicit as much passion from collectors as dedicated watch companies.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.