About Cartier Baignoire Watches
The Cartier Baignoire was originally designed for a Russian royal in the early 1900s and later named after the French word for "bathtub." It is a beautifully curvaceous oval ladies’ luxury watch. Cartier has made many Baignoire watch models over the last century — in various sizes, materials and movement types — while staying true to its iconic shape.
History of the Baignoire Watch
Maison Cartier has always counted royalty as part of its clientele. In 1912, Louis Cartier gifted an oval-shaped watch to Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia, who was the company’s best client at the time. As the legend goes, Cartier reimagined the customary round watch case silhouette by stretching it out to create an oval.
In 1956, the oval shape returned to the Cartier watch catalog and became a success. In the 1960s, the brand presented an oversized and elongated version, sometimes referred to as the Cartier Maxi Oval. It wasn’t until 1973 that Cartier finally gave its oval watch collection the Baignoire name. The elongated editions were eventually dubbed the Baignoire Allongée.
Like all Cartier watches produced until the late 1970s, the Baignoire ran on mechanical movements. However, when the “quartz crisis” threatened to destroy the Swiss-made watch industry, Cartier made the strategic move to equip some of its watches with quartz movements. By the 1980s, many Cartier Baignoire watches ran on quartz movements — a trend that continues today. The 1980s also saw the introduction of the two-tone steel and gold Cartier Baignoire.
Cartier continued to make the Baignoire watches throughout the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. In 2019, a few fresh models were added to the collection, including the latest Cartier Baignoire small model and new Baignoire Allongée pieces.
Baignoire Timeline
- 1912 – Louis Cartier gives an oval-shaped watch to Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia.
- 1956 – Cartier adds oval timepieces to its offering, inspired by the watch given to the Grand Duchess.
- 1960s – Cartier introduces the elongated Maxi Oval watch (later known as the Baignoire Allongée).
- 1973 – Cartier officially dubs the oval watches the Baignoire, which is French for “bathtub.”
- 1991 – Cartier releases the 400-piece limited edition Baignoire Allongée as part of its Collection Privé series.
- 2019 – Cartier unveils new Baignoire watches.
Cartier Baignoire Design and Features
Aside from its characteristic oval-shaped case, most Cartier Baignoire watches, whether new or vintage, share other design traits. For instance, Baignoire timepieces are time-only watches featuring only an hour and minute hand on the dial. Most Baignoire dials are designed in Cartier’s signature style, with black Roman numerals and blue hands sitting on a light-colored background. The Baignoire watches with diamond-paved dials are exceptions. Similar to other Cartier watches, the majority of Baignoire timepieces also have a blue sapphire stone set into the winding crown — unless there’s a diamond there instead.
Cartier predominantly uses yellow gold, white gold or rose gold to make the Baignoire cases, but there are also some rare platinum Baignoire watches. Even the two-tone models feature 18-karat yellow gold cases, which are fitted with steel and gold bracelets. There are, of course, plenty of diamond versions too — like the dazzling Cartier Baignoire watch that played a role in Gossip Girl.
The oval silhouette is what defines the Baignoire watch. In true Cartier fashion, however, the shape has been adapted multiple times over the decades to create several iterations. For instance, there’s the stretched-out Baignoire Allongée, the tilted Baignoire Hypnose, the Mini Baignoire Reference 1960 without a winding crown and even the round Baignoire Ronde. There are Baignoire watches with flat bezels, curvy bezels, double-stepped bezels and diamond-set bezels. As expected, the Baignoire has been offered in several sizes over the decades, ranging from less than 20mm to over 50mm.
Today, Cartier offers five Baignoire sizes (height x width):
- Cartier Baignoire Mini: 25.30mm x 20.63mm
- Cartier Baignoire Small: 31.6mm x 24.5mm
- Cartier Baignoire Allongée Medium: 47mm x 21mm
- Cartier Baignoire Large: 44mm x 34mm
- Cartier Baignoire Extra-Large: 52mm x 23mm
Cartier Baignoire Price and Collectability
Given their precious metal cases and renowned Cartier name, Baignoire watches are, as expected, expensive luxury watches. For example, in 2021, the Cartier Baignoire 1920 model (a 2019 release) with a yellow gold case, leather strap and quartz movement retails for $11,000. But that pales in comparison to the $162,000 price tag of the full diamond pavé Baignoire Allongée that runs on an in-house mechanical movement.
However, the secondary market offers great deals for those looking for a preowned Cartier Baignoire watch. It’s not uncommon to find older Baignoire models priced in the $3,000 to $6,000 range. Diamond preowned Baignoire editions are pricier, typically ranging from $10,000 to $30,000.
Some vintage Cartier Baignoire watches are highly sought after by watch collectors, particularly those from the 1960s (prior to the official Baignoire name). For instance, in 2019, a rare and collectable Cartier Maxi Oval timepiece, circa 1968, sold for $88,701.
The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, also known as “the Fifth Beatle,” bought two white gold Cartier Baignoire watches with black straps in 1966 — one for himself and one for George Harrison. Epstein’s Cartier Baignoire sold for over $40,000 in October 2020.
Cartier Baignoire Care and Maintenance
Not only are Baignoire de Cartier watches high-end dress watches, but many of them are also embellished with precious gemstones. It’s important to treat them with care and not subject them to harsh environments or demanding activities.
New Cartier Baignoire timepieces are water resistant to 30 meters, which means they are splash resistant but not swim resistant. Although the Baignoire takes its name from the tub, it’s best not to soak it in water! This is especially true of vintage Baignoire watches. Vintage timepieces should never be submerged in water as moisture can cause permanent damage.
If the battery of your Cartier Baignoire quartz watch runs out, have it replaced right away to avoid any risk of battery leakage.