is responsible for some of the most recognizable and successful wristwatches in the history of modern horology. The definitive expert on watch design, the French maison has always been a leader in challenging conventional approaches to watchmaking while pioneering new styling as a fixture in the broader fashion world.
There are a number of details that Cartier is most known for today. Guilloché white dials, roman numerals, blue sapphire cabochon crowns, 'railroad' minutes tracks. Throughout the Cartier collections, the brand has scattered these details in a variety of configurations. But what would happen if Cartier stripped away all the excess. If they only took these details and made the simplest watch possible, what would emerge?
We’d wager it would look something like this.
A beautiful 20th century Cartier, this Vendome Ronde Louis ref.1297 preserves all the fundamental characteristics that define Cartier, but have done away with pretty much all else. The platinum case is simple; only two hands are fixed to the dial; there’s no additional complications, confusion, or flair added. It’s just classic watchmaking in its purest form.
Cartier is all about design, and it’s no wonder the brand has perfected the class of simple watches like these. If you love Cartier’s aesthetic but want to opt for a slightly rarer iteration, something a bit off the beaten path, this is an excellent way to do that in style.