Holding a storied history that spans over a century, the Cartier Baignoire watch is a true icon in the world of luxury timepieces. Designed by Louis Cartier in 1912 specifically for the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia, it was the iconic brand’s first oval-shaped watch. Boasting an elliptical case design that was a departure from the traditional round and rectangular shapes of watches at the time, the Baignoire (named after the French word for “bathtub” due to its shape), or “oval-shaped watch” as it was known at the time, showcased Cartier's pioneering spirit and innovative approach to watchmaking, and watchmaking design. Initially designed as a bespoke piece for the select few, the Baignoire quickly garnered attention for its distinctive shape and refined aesthetics and finally entered regular production in 1957. In the 1960s however, the Baignoire took on a new shape as Cartier took the Baignoire and stretched, or elongated, its design into the Baignoire Allongee, like the watch that we have here, the ref. CRWJBA0016. Releasing various interpretations that highlight different facets of its design just like other models, the Baignoire Allongee’s design can go from minimalist interpretations with sleek, curved cases to opulent versions adorned with diamonds and intricate guilloché patterns just like the ref. CRWJBA0016 that we have here. Boasting a pave-set diamond dial with only its blued steel sword-shaped hands remaining as a hint to Cartier’s hand in its design, this Baignoire Allongee features an engraved 18kt rose gold case that measures a long 47mm tall and a slim 21mm wide that elegantly wraps around the wrist. However, touching on a more avant-garde aesthetic than Cartier is typically known for, this Allongee’s case features pyramid-tipped case with its bevel and mid-case completely covered in a large Clous de Paris-like texture whereby an aggressive knurling has been used to create the look of a diamond-set case that perfectly matches the look of its pave-set diamond dial, creating a cohesive and luxurious look.

Speaking to a more avant-garde side of Cartier's talents as a watch designer and jeweler, the ref. CRWJBA0016 takes the Baignoire Allongee's beautiful design and injects it with a flourish of brazen opulence that Cartier seldom features in their watches.