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
$10,529 / item
Dm 1.42 in
Rolex 36mm Datejust Two Tone Silver Index Dial Diamond Bezel + Lugs + Rubies
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Rolex 36mm Datejust Silver Index Dial Diamond Bezel + Lugs + Rubies Two Tone Watch 16013
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Stainless Steel
$2,850
H 1.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Cartier Folding Travel Desk Clock Paris Gilt-Brass and Blue Enamel 1990
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cartier “Tank Francaise” Folding Travel Alarm Clock Paris, Circa 1990 An elegant and timeless vintage Cartier travel desk clock, model Tank, crafted in gilt brass and blue e...
Brass
Ladies Rolex 31mm Midsize DateJust Two Tone 18K Yellow Gold / Stainless Steel
By Rolex
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Brand: Rolex. Dial: Diamond. Bezel: Diamond. Crystal: Sapphire. Condition: Good. Gender: Women's. Case Dimensions: 31mm. Reference Number: 6827. Dial Color: Mother of Peal. Bracelet ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
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
Rolex 69178 Ladies President Datejust Diamond String Dial 18K Yellow Gold
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 69178 Serial: E312*** Year: 1990 Model: Ladies President Case Material: 18K Yellow Gold Band: 18K Yellow Gold Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold Dial: F...
2000 Rolex Submariner 40mm Oyster Perpetual Two Tone Blue Dial and Blue Bezel
By Rolex
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Year: 2000. Brand: Rolex. Gender: Men's. Dial Color: Blue. Type: Wristwatch. Case Size: 40mm. Bezel Color: Blue. Model: Submariner. Condition: Excellent. Band/Strap: Bracelet. Indice...
1996 Men's Rolex 36mm DateJust Two Tone 18K Gold/ Stainless Steel Watch (Unworn)
By Rolex
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Year: 1996. Brand: Rolex. Gender: Men's. Dial: Diamonds. Model: DateJust. Dial Color: Black. Case Back: Screw. Condition: Unworn. Bracelet Size: Full Set. Model Number: 16233. Crystal: Sapphire Crystal. Case Dimensions: 36mm. Bezel Color: 18K Yellow Gold. Movement: Mechanical (Automatic). Metal Type: 18K Gold / Stainless Steel. Bracelet / Strap: 18K Yellow Gold / Stainless Steel. Box / Certificate: Includes Rolex Box / Rolex Paper. Service Warranty: One (1) Year Limited Service Warranty. Additional Details: Men’s Rolex...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
LeCoultre 14Kt. and Enamel Inlay Art Deco Wristwatch circa 1930's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Cushion Shape METAL / MATERIAL: 14kt. Solid Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 26mm x Width 2...
HERMES Rallye two-tone stainless steel gold plated saddle handle oval watch
By Hermès
Located in Hong Kong, NT
HERMES Rallye two-tone stainless steel gold plated saddle handle oval quartz watch Reference: CAWG/A00311 Brand: Hermes Model: Rallye Material: Metal Col...
Bvlgari Serpenti 18K Rose Gold SP P35G Black Dial Diamond Bezel Ladies Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This pre-owned Bvlgari Serpenti ladies’ watch showcases the elegance and allure of one of Bvlgari’s most recognizable designs. Crafted in 18K rose gold, the SP P35G model pairs a dee...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$2,381
H 2.96 in W 2.96 in D 1.19 in
Vintage Cartier Paris Cased Palladium Plated Desk Alarm Clock 20th Century
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A cased Cartier square Art Deco style, travel desk clock with alarm. It has a quartz movement and a palladium plated metal rectangular case, circa 1990 in date. The silvered clock h...
Onyx, Quartz, Metal, Silver
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
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
