Cartier

Cartier Ballon Bleu ref W2BB0023 is a striking interpretation of the classic round watch that features the crown tucked inside a bubble in the bezel.  Both functional and visually striking this design sets the Cartier Ballon Bleu apart from other round watches on the market and exudes a certain ethereal charm many collectors will find irresistible.  Cartier has released many editions of the watch since it was developed in 2007 including the gorgeous steel and rose gold model for sale here.  Features include an approachable 33mm case a silvered guilloche dial decorated with Roman numerals scratch-resistant sapphire and an automatic mechanical movement.

Cartier Pasha ref 2324 (1997) pairs a classically elegant round case with non-traditional design elements such as shoulder lugs and a canteen-style crown cap.  At the same time it is unmistakably Cartier.  The dial is still decorated with the famous chemin de fer minute track and distinctive sword-shaped hands.  This model also features Breguet hour markers a date display at 4:30 and a lovely pink sunburst dial with luminescent material. The 35mm case is outfitted with a durable scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and houses the caliber 049 self-winding mechanical movement.

Cartier Santos 100 ref W20073X8 was released in 2004 to mark the Santos' centenary. As the story goes the watch was among the first men's wristwatches when it was developed in the early 1900s and was inspired by aviator and friend of the Cartier family Alberto Santos-Dumont.  It had a square-shaped case with visible screw heads a cabochon-decorated crown and a Roman numeral dial just like the 100th anniversary Cartier for sale here.  This 38mm model features a leather strap luminescent sword-shaped hands scratch-resistant sapphire and the Cartier calibre 049 self-winding mechanical movement.  It's a great all-rounder with outstanding wrist presence for times when you want to make a lasting impression.

Cartier Tank Francaise ref W50012S3 might not hail from one of the brand's most historically important collections. Still it is certainly one of the most recognizable and influential when it comes to enduring watch fashion.  The collection was released around the late 1990s and rocketed to the top of every must-have list after it appeared on Princess Diana's wrist.  It seemed as though every it-girl of the 90s and early aughts wore a Francaise.  Today the watch continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Cartier enthusiasts particularly those in the market for a slightly more contemporary Tank.  It features thicker brancards and an integrated bracelet setting it apart from other offerings like the Tank Louis or Tank Americaine.  Ref. W50012S3 dials up the luxury a bit more in lustrous white gold.  The dial has the famous Roman numeral hour markers and blued sword hands and the crown is set with a striking blue cabochon.

Cartier Ballon Bleu ref W2BB0023 (2019) isn't your average round watch. It earns its name "Ballon" by enveloping Cartier's famous cabochon crown inside a tiny bubble in the bezel which Rolex likens to defying gravity.  This remarkable design has captured the adoration of countless luxury watch collectors including fashionable royals and A-list celebrities and it belongs on your wrist.  Ref. W2BB0023 is a two-tone model featuring a stainless steel and rose gold finish a flattering 33mm case and a silver guilloche dial with Roman numeral hour markers and Cartier's famous blued hands.  Collectors will also enjoy automatic winding for uncompromising style and precision.

Cartier Crash first appeared in the French Maison's catalog in 1967.  Rumors of the uniquely shaped watch's origins have swirled for decades ranging from Salvador Dali's surrealist painting The Persistence of Memory to more radically a Baignoire Allongée that melted in a car crash creating the unique form.  However according to Cartier descendant Francesca Cartier Brickell who researched her family's prestigious firm extensively the story is much more tame although still crash-inspired as its name would suggest.As the story goes Jean-Jacques set out to develop a watch "unlike any other " working closely with designer Rupert Emmerson to transform the traditional oval-shaped case into something that might look like it was in a car accident.  Each end of the case has a pinched look so it's understandable why some might connect the Cartier Crash and Dali's mind-bending aesthetic. The collection's history is much more involved than that but it ultimately produced a spectacular collection of boundary-breaking watches some with skeleton dials and even diamond-encrusted bezels like our example. Although Cartier still makes the watch today it's still incredibly exclusive and rare.  It isn't likely you'll spot watches like this one out in the wild. This example from the 1970s is an 18k yellow gold model with an ivory Roman numeral dial leather strap and sapphire crystal. It's a spectacular display of Cartier's unique design language that will undoubtedly become the crowning jewel of your watch box.