Launched in 1937, the Cartier Ronde Louis Cartier was one of the most elegant and modern timepieces of its generation. Featuring its characteristic round profile, short downturned lugs, and large dial contrasting its thin flat bezel, the Ronde’s design was truly ahead of its time, considering just how modern and timeless its design has remained to this day. Often produced in limited edition runs, it has quickly become a Cartier collector favorite over the decades. Belonging to one of those limited edition runs, this ref. 2542B that we have here hails from Cartier's esteemed high-horology program that began in 1998 and ran until 2008, the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP). As such, this example features some finer details that examples from outside of the CPCP lack, such as a wonderfully finished manual-wind cal. 430 MC movement on display behind a sapphire crystal caseback and an exquisitely decorated silver rosette guilloche dial with blued steel hands and black Roman numerals encircling a 24-hour scale. Sitting on a leather strap with a platinum Cartier folding clasp, this example is remarkably luxurious and understated as a result of its monochromatic aesthetic – a truly Cartier-esque combination indeed.

Brilliantly elegant, impressively hefty, and entirely stunning, this CPCP Ronde Louis Cartier is a watch that can surprise even the most seasoned collectors by just how well-executed and beautiful it is in the metal.