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 ...
Patek Philippe Genéve Lady's Wristwatch
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York, NY
Patek Philippe platinum lady's watch with round diamonds weighing approximately 0.27 carat. Made in Switzerland. Serial no. 987502. Marked: Patek Philippe / Genéve / Swiss / Twenty 2...
Diamond, Platinum
H 0.63 in W 0.63 in
Bulgari Serpenti 18K Gold Diamond Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari 18K rose gold Serpenti red lacquer diamond wristwatch with presentation box Weight : 90.9 g Interior circumference : 6 5/8" Case : 26 mm Marked : Au 750 18K BULGARI FABRIQUE ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas Ladies Watch, stainless stell crown set with cabochon cut pink rubellite set with diamonds, single spiral bracelet, marked Bvlgari, weight 62.2 gram
Bulgari Tubogas Gold Watch Bracelet BB 26 2T
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Tubogas 18k gold watch bracelet, featuring slightly flexible design. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist, case is 26mm in diamet...
Gold
Piaget Diamond Gold Lady's Watch
By Piaget
Located in New York, NY
18K Y/gold diamond watch, stamps PIAGET quartz, 80564 K 8-18 508728, RBC diamonds weighing approx. 1.15 ct, GH VS, 6 3/4 inches. weight 40.6 dwt
Diamond, Gold
H 0.91 in W 0.91 in
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Enamel Watch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. platinum and gold diamond enamel expandable wristwatch. Meylan 17 jewel movement, 32 diamonds weighing approximately 1 carat. Inner circumference: 6.25 inches. Can expa...
H 0.36 in W 0.4 in
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Cadenas Wristwatch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch from the iconic Cadenas collection. This watch is very well made and features beautiful craftsmanship in the strap, which is made o...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Diamond Lady's Wristwatch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18 karat yellow gold wristwatch featuring approximately 5 carats of diamonds. The dial is made out of round cut diamonds. The case's width is 2 cm. The links on th...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Parentesi Yellow Gold Diamond Watch Bracelet BG01
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Parentesi watch bracelet by Bvlgari, set in 18k yellow gold, adorned with approx. 2.50ctw G/VS diamonds. All diamond dial. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist (medium size). C...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Dreicer & Co. C.H. Meylan Art Deco Platinum Diamond Watch
By C.H. Meylan
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco circa 1920s watch by Dreicer & Co dial, C.H. Meylan movement. Case decorated with sapphires and approx. 1.55ctw in old mine and single cut diamo...
Diamond, Platinum
Piaget Gold Backwind Watch
By Piaget
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 14k gold Piaget backwind watch. Gold tone dial signed Piaget. Case is 25mm, bracelet is 6" long. Weight - 47.3 grams. Please note that it i...
Gold
Bulgari Tubogas Gold and Steel Watch Bracelet BB232T
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Classic 18k gold and steel Tubogas bracelet watch by Bvlgari, with black dial and quartz movement. Bracelet will fit approx. 7" wrist, case is 23mm in diameter, bracelet is 15mm wide...
Gold, Steel
Bulgari Tubogas Watch in 18K Yellow Gold and Steel
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari Tubogas bracelet watch, featuring a Swiss-made quartz movement; black dial with gold hands and hour markers; and 23mm, 18k yellow gold...
Yellow Gold, Steel
Bulgari Lady's Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
18K Y/gold watch, stamps VLGARI quartz BB26 GGD F37662, inner circumference 6 3/4 inches, weight 58.3 dwt.
Oscar Heyman Retro Ruby & Diamond Watch Bracelet
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Oscar Heyman retro ruby and diamond watch Bracelet Concealed flip dial of mechanical movement, rectangular dial with gold Arabic numbers, and dot markers; calibré-cut rubies ...
Diamond, Ruby
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
H 3.55 in W 2.88 in D 2.37 in
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 1990 Montre Or Jaune Baignoire PM Yellow Gold Casque d Or Bracelet Watch
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Cartier watch circa 1990 Baignoire model in yellow gold, oval case (legendary), white dial with Roman numerals, quartz movement, blued steel hands, winding mechanism or crown decorat...
Yellow 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
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
W 0.91 in Dm 1.25 in
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
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
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
H 0.99 in W 0.71 in
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
