These Cartier watches are a tangible connection to the past, and wearing them feels like participating in a larger story.
When it comes to luxury watches, few brands are as iconic as Cartier. Among their collection of timepieces are the Tank, Baignoire, and Baignoire Allongée watches that have stood the test of time. But these classics are not just luxurious accessories. They are also vessels for nostalgia and stories, capable of transporting us to different eras and moments in history.
Grandeur from a bygone era
The Cartier Tank, Baignoire, and Baignoire Allongée have a rich and storied history that dates back to the early 20th century. Inspired by the military vehicles of the first World War, the aptly named Tank was created by Louis Cartier in 1917. The Baignoire, on the other hand, was named after its bathtub shape and was first introduced in 1957. Following this, the Baignoire Allongée was released in the 1960s as a variation of the original Baignoire design. All three models quickly became synonymous with style and sophistication, though each for different reasons. This means making your ultimate decision comes down to a matter of personal preference.
Celebrated for its clean and classic design, the Tank is an emblematic creation of modern design. Its rectangular dial, aligned with the strap, has become a signature. The Tank features black Roman numerals and minute markers that are shaped like thin, elongated swords. The dial is simple and understated, emphasizing the beauty of the case and the movement.
Its bejeweled variation, the Jewelled Tank, has the same sleek, rectangular shape, but is characterized by intricate diamond detailing. However, the watch’s beauty is not limited to its masterly detailing alone. For the new Tank watch, Cartier revived a color palette borrowed from Jeanne Toussaint: black, like the onyx of the cylinders, the edge, and the dial. This contrasts with the acid green of the chrysoprase beads and the red of the rubies set along the vertical brancards, as well as the nails at the end of the chrysoprase cabochons.
With the Baignoire, an elegant oval shape is one of its most distinctive features. The case is given a slender and elongated appearance, with the sides of the case being flat and straight, while the top and bottom are slightly curved—creating a beautiful and fluid shape that is both feminine and modern. Meanwhile, the Baignoire Allongée has an elongated oval shape and a more complex design, with stones of varying cuts on the case creating a vibrant and shifting appearance. The diamonds are set in a pavé style, which means that they are tightly packed together to create a shimmering surface that catches the light beautifully.
Wearers of time
These watches have remained largely unchanged since their introduction; their clean lines and simple designs are just as stylish today as they were decades ago. The nostalgia of these watches, however, is not limited to their design. Owned by famous personalities or spotted during historical events, the Tank, Baignoire, and Baignoire Allongée are generous storytellers, indulging the wearer with their fascinating history: former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was known to wear a Tank watch, and a Baignoire watch was famously worn by Princess Diana.
Heritage pieces
The storytelling capacity of these watches is also evident in the way that they are often passed down through families. Tank, Baignoire, and Baignoire Allongée watches are frequently family heirlooms handed down from generation to generation. With each new owner wearing the watch and attaching their memories to it, the watch becomes a more valuable piece of family history. This further cements Cartier as a way of remembering and celebrating a family’s heritage, of connecting different generations through a shared object.
Cartier is located at Greenbelt 4, Solaire Resorts and Casino, Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza. For more information, please visit Cartier’s official website.
