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 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 Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Cartier Roadster Diamond White Gold 18K Wristwatch. Signed Cartier, numbered and marked. Fully polished. Wrist length: 15.5 centimeters. Additional links available on request. Extra...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Cougar Ladies Steel Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990s Cartier Classic Ladies Cougar Wrist watch, 26 MM Stainless Steel case, quartz Movement, White Dial with Black roman Numerals, sweep seconds hand, Calendar window at the 3 position and a sapphire Crown. 1/2 inch wide Stainless Steel link bracelet with Deployment clasp. Wrist length 6 inches. Comes in a Cartier Suede travel pouch. recently serviced and comes with a one year N. green and Sons...
Rolex Datejust 36mm Automatic 18K Gold & Stainless Steel Men's Wrist Watch
By Rolex
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
The Rolex 1995 Oyster Perpetual Datejust is a classic example of Rolex's timeless elegance and durability. The attractive fluted bezel and center links of the Oyster bracelet and ce...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel, Yellow Gold, Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Air King with Custom M.O.P Pink Dial circa 1970's
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 39mm "Lug Tip to Lu...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Stainless Steel Air King with Custom Made Pumpkin Orange Dial circa
By Rolex
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Rolex Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Air King / Reference 1002 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 60's / 70's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40mm X Diamete...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$24,999
H 1.58 in W 0.48 in Dm 1.58 in
NEW Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm Bruce Wayne Oyster Watch 126710GRNR
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new. Comes with the original box and papers.
Stainless Steel
$30,990
H 1.58 in W 0.52 in Dm 1.58 in
New Release Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm Bruce Wayne Jubilee Watch 126710
By Rolex
Located in New York, NY
Brand new. Comes with the original box and papers. Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Condition: New Brand: Rolex Model: Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR Model Number: 126710GRNR Departm...
Stainless Steel
1966 Rolex Ladies Dress Watch, Silver Dial - 14K White Gold
By Rolex
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
White Gold
Piaget Clous de Paris 18K Gold Watch with Original Buckle
By Piaget
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1970's 18K Yellow Gold Piaget Clous de Paris Watch Textured Hobnail Bezel 9P Movement Original Patina Dial 26mm Original 18KT Yellow Gold Buckle on a New Strap Watch was Se...
18k Gold
Longines Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Automatic Leather Strap Watch Circa 1950
By Longines
Located in Baltimore, MD
Longines Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Automatic Sub Seconds Leather Strap Watch Circa 1950 Metal: 14k yellow gold Movement: Automatic Case: 34mm 14k yellow gold Crystal: Acrylic Refe...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,494
W 1.5 in L 1.82 in
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Ref. WAF1113 Professional 300M Diver’s Watch - Stainless S
By TAG Heuer
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Omega De Ville , dual reference 1953378 / 3953378, 30mm Case, 18K Yellow Gold.
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and classical Omega De Ville , dual reference 1953378 / 3953378 ,features an 18k yellow gold case of 30mm (31.5mm inc crown) x 35.8mm lug to lug. This is an ultra thin (4...
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
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
