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The history of the Baignoire is one of reinvention. When Cartier introduced its distinctive oval watch in 1958, the shape was already a departure from the typical round and rectangular cases of the era. Nearly seven decades later, that same silhouette remains one of the house’s most recognizable designs, endlessly inviting reinterpretation.
Over the years, Cartier has played with the Baignoire’s proportions, materials, colors, straps, and settings, continually finding new ways to make an unconventional shape feel of-the-moment. Its iterations have ranged from an 18-karat-gold style punctuated with diamond polka dots to pavé bezels contrasted with rich croc straps and monochromatic models featuring color-matched dials slipped over lithe ribbons of leather. Its oval construction and slender feel have charmed generations of fashionably zeitgeisty stars, from Lauren Bacall and Catherine Deneuve to Kendall Jenner and Elle Fanning.
Catherine Deneuve
Kendall Jenner
The Baignoire’s latest incarnation transforms the diminutive watch into a sculptural gold cuff punctuated by the geometric peaks of Clou de Paris, a motif that has been part of Cartier’s vocabulary since the 1920s and a defining element of its Clash de Cartier collection, which combines contrasting aspects of different designs. In the new Baignoire, each geometric prism is shaped by hand to follow the elegant lines of the band and case, creating a tactile surface that catches the light from every angle. The collision between two of the house’s most recognizable signatures lends the watch a new sense of volume and dimension.
At just over 24 millimeters at its widest point, the Baignoire’s visual impact is all the more surprising. Available in solid 18-karat gold or set with round diamonds, each version brings its own touch of novelty. In the latter, the dial is punctuated by 100 brilliant-cut diamonds, while additional stones illuminate the case and cuff, amplifying the interplay between the geometric Clou de Paris surface and the sparkle of the gems.
Worn solo, the Baignoire offers a subtle infusion of texture; stacked with Clash bracelets, it takes on a more substantial presence. It is less about telling time than making a statement—a small object with an outsized ability to change the feeling of what you’re wearing, whether it’s a T-shirt and denim or a little black cocktail dress.
It’s a reminder that timelessness, in jewelry, isn’t confined to demure strings of pearls or heirloom pendants. The longevity of a motif or design often lies in its ability to evolve and find new life in different forms in different eras, which is why the Baignoire has never lost its luster and continues to shine.