It may be the epitome of elegance, but the Mini Baignoire watch is actually named for the most quotidian of objects: a bathtub. That is what the original timepiece looked like in 1912, when Louis Cartier, grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François, had the idea of stretching a circular watch face into an elliptical shape.
It was Louis who was responsible for bringing watchmaking to the venerable maison, when he presented Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont with a wristwatch in 1904. Approaching watchmaking with a jeweler’s eye, his pursuit of beauty went beyond ornamentation; instead he considered the size, shape and harmony of the design.
Cartier had a penchant for shapes other than the conventional circle, and although the Baignoire wouldn’t officially get its name until the 1950s, its origins are in Louis’s experiments of the early 1900s: He created tonneau (or barrel-shaped) watches in 1906, square-faced watches in 1908 and, in 1912, a slender oval-shaped watch, reportedly designed for Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna “Miechen” of Russia, a great customer of the house.
The bathtub-inspired design was revisited in the 1950s, and a refined version of the original, finally called the Baignoire, became available in 1958. Gorgeous movie stars such as Catherine Deneuve, photographed at 1965’s Cannes Film Festival donning her favorite Baignoire, warmed immediately to the ellipsis-shaped watch’s celebrated pair of parallel lines and graceful adjoining curves. The Mini Baignoire, a smaller profile version that retains the house’s characteristic blue-steel sword-shaped hands, sleek Roman numerals and more, was first introduced as a full diamond pavé model in the 1990s.
Still available at Cartier, the Mini Baignoire watch embodies the elegance of its grand origins, a graceful timekeeper for a modern age.
Cartier Desk Clock with Original Case
By Cartier
Located in Amersham, GB
A Cartier Les Must Desk Clock in an oval gold plated frame, with cabochon jewelled setting nuts, resting on a strut back with the distinctive Cartier ‘C’ forming the feet. This Swis...
Gold Plate, Brass
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18K Yellow Gold Bangle Watch 17
By Cartier
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Sold out worldwide with a waitlist extending over a year, this petite timepiece is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Skilfully created in the house's Swiss atelier, it boasts 18-karat ...
Cartier Baignoire Mini Size 15 18k Rose Gold Silver Dial Ladies Watch WGBA0019
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box but no papers. Cartier Baignoire Mini WGBA0019 — Specifications General Information Brand: Cartier Model: Baignoire Mini Reference Number: WGBA001...
Rose Gold
$76Sale Price|20% Off
ViNTAGE CITIZEN ECO DRIVE LADIES WRIST WATCH IN THE ORIGINAL BOX WR 50 MODEL
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this vintage Citizen Eco Drive Ladies Wrist watch in the original box WR 50 model These are very cool colle...
Stainless Steel
14K Gold and Diamond Omega Constellation Watch Vintage
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
A vintage 14k yellow gold (tested), Omega Constellation wrist watch with round brilliant cut diamond numerals, approx. .16 carats. The diamond hour markers further elevate this beaut...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$5,055
H 94.89 in W 23.23 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Travel clock with case. Metal, glass, leather, etc. XIX century. Case with lid at the top and front with a transparent glass sheet, upholstered on the inside, containing a travel cl...
Metal, Other
$6,695
H 0.99 in W 0.79 in Dm 0.79 in
Pristine Cartier Panthère Mini Model 25mm WSPN0019 Silver Dial Box Papers
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
The Cartier Panthère de Cartier Mini (ref. WSPN0019) delivers timeless elegance in a refined, compact form. Crafted in polished stainless steel, the 25mm x 21mm case features Cartier...
Stainless Steel
Mido Multifort, Superautomatic, Powerwind, Watch 1950s
By Mido Watch Company
Located in Roma, Lazio
Mido Multifort, Superautomatic, Powerwind, 50' Movement and function: self-winding cal. 917P sweep seconds Case: stainless steel 34,5 mm screw back...
Steel
Cyma Time-O-Vox, Cymaflex, Watch 1950s
By Cyma
Located in Roma, Lazio
Cyma Time-O-Vox, CYMAFLEX, Ref. 1283, 50’, N.O.S. Movement and functions: hand winding cal. R.464 vibrant alarm, function that is set and released by the top and bottom buttons fl...
Rose Gold, Steel
$2,500
W 0.57 in L 0.57 in
Vintager Square Face 18k Gold and Diamond and Ceylon Sapphire Ladys Wrist Watch
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage 18k gold ladies wrist watch, square face with gold weave chain band with diamond and ceylon sapphire encrusted details, clasp closure with security chain, stamped and numbere...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Cartier Ladies White Gold Diamond Baignoire Mini Bracelet Quartz Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Cartier ladies watch with diamonds set on the bezel and bracelet. Size 6 wrist with deployment buckle. Quartz. Watch face measur...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$4,831
H 84.26 in W 23.23 in D 9.85 in
Antique Southern Swedish Rococo Long Case Clock with Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Southern Swedish long case clock from the early 1800s in rococo style. The clock is hand-made from pine with original hand-craved decor. Dry scraped to traces of the original green, ...
Pine
Vintage Cartier Paris Manual Wind Dial 18k Yellow Gold Ladies Watch
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Cartier Paris 18k gold ladies watch with a Roman numeral dial and the classic Cartier style blue sword-shaped hour markers. Manual wind movement with a screw-down crown and s...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Gucci Women's YA112416 Twirl Diamond Cuff Watch
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
New with tags GUCCI Women's YA112416 Twirl Watch with White Dial and diamond bezel, diamonds weighting in total 2.60 carats: Quartz movement Scratch resis...
Diamond, White Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
2024 Cartier Baignoire De Mini 18k Yellow Gold Silver Dial Ladies Watch GBA0021
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Only one piece is available. Size 16 The Cartier Baignoire De Mini (GBA0021) is a luxurious ladies' watch featuring an 18k yellow gold oval case, a silver dial with Roman nu...
Yellow Gold
Sold
H 0.97 in W 0.29 in Dm 0.74 in
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18k Rose Gold Silver Dial Ladies Quartz Watch WGBA0020
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. Comes with original box but no papers.
Rose Gold
Cartier Baignoire Small Model 18k Rose Gold on Leather W8000007
By Cartier
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU AT-1815 Comes With Box Only Date Circa 2014 RRP £10,500 incl. VAT / $11,000 / €11 900 incl. VAT Model Baignoire Small Model W8000007 Serial Number 4******X3064 Metal 18k Rose Gol...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Sold
H 0.75 in W 0.75 in Dm 0.32 in
Cartier Baignoire Mini 18k Rose Gold Silver Dial Ladies Quartz Watch WGBA0036
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Unworn. It comes with the original box, no papers are included. Brand & Model Information Brand: Cartier Model: Cartier Baignoire Mini Model Number: WGBA0036 Year Manufactured: 2024...
Rose Gold
Sold
H 1.25 in W 0.28 in Dm 0.91 in
Cartier Baignoire 18K White Gold Diamond Silver Dial Ladies Watch 3065
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Pre-owned. The inner side of the band has visible wear signs. The watch shows minor signs of wear. Comes with the original box. No papers.
White Gold
Cartier Baignoire WB5095L2 2369
By Cartier
Located in North Miami Beach, FL
Brand: Cartier Model: Baignoire Reference number: WB5095L2 2369 Scope of delivery: No original box, No original papers Movement: Automatic Case Material: White Gold Bracelet Material...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Mini Baignoire 18 Karat Gold Silver Dial Diamond WB5094WI Mint B/P
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This pre-owned Cartier Baignore WB5094WI is a beautiful Ladies timepiece that is powered by a quartz movement which is cased in a yellow gold case. It has an oval shape face, diamon...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
