Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 1990 Reference No: 2295 Case No: G’C12’465 Model Name: Baignoire, Bi Plan Louis Cartier Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Quartz Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Cartier deployant clasp Dimensions: 34mm length Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by undated Cartier international guarantee certificate stamped Swiss Union Watch Hong Kong, instruction manual, product literature, red envelope and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced circa 1990, the present Boignoire Bi-Plan sports the same "bathtub” case as the original, with the addition of three hand-finished godrons and two horizontal lugs directly hinged to the clasp. As a result, the watch resembles an aircraft from the early 1900s with two sets of wings stacked above one another, which coincidently (or not), is also known as a biplane! The tactical placement of the horizontal bars perfectly frames the oval case, giving the watch a cool Art Deco appeal. Upon closer inspection, these lugs are not just a design affectation, but are in fact, part of an ingenious mechanism that discreetly tucks the deployant clasp behind the caseback, allowing the strap to snugly hug the contours of the wearer's wrist. An extremely rare design, the Bi-Plan clasp on this Baignoire only reveals itself when opened.
A quintessential Cartier creation, the present white gold timepiece flaunts a classic guilloche dial with an ivory background and contrasting black Roman numerals. Of course, the blued steel hands match the sapphire cabochon that tops the crown. Offered at PHILLIPS for the first time, this example is exceptionally well-preserved and is further accompanied by its original accessories. Designed to turn heads, this quartz-driven Baignoire from the Bi Plan Louis Cartier collection is certainly destined to grace the wrists of connoisseurs seeking a classic yet quirky that outshines the ordinary.
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.