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A rare Cartier Baignoire watch stole the spotlight at Fellows’ most recent auction, becoming the standout piece of the event and fetching an impressive £10,465 (including fees). Originally introduced in 1912, the Cartier Baignoire has long been celebrated for its unique elliptical shape, a design that was revolutionary at a time when traditional round watch faces dominated the market. The name “Baignoire,” which translates to “bathtub” in French, aptly captures the watch’s distinct form, which has evolved over the years while maintaining its signature elegance.

The auctioned piece, Lot 44, is a particularly rare model from 1965, featuring an 18ct yellow gold case hallmarked in London. With a case width of 18mm, the watch is powered by a manual wind movement signed by Jaeger-LeCoultre and showcases a pristine white dial with classic Roman numeral hour markers. The London hallmark on this watch signifies its exclusive retail history at Cartier’s prestigious Bond Street boutique, during a period when Cartier produced only a limited number of watches annually—approximately 1,000 pieces worldwide.

This auction result reaffirms the Cartier Baignoire’s status as a true gem in the horological World, attracting significant interest and commanding top prices.

Our next watches auction is on Thursday 3rd October, and we are accepting consignments now.

Steven Yambo, Watch Specialist at Fellows, states:

“It was amazing to have such a rare watch in auction be so highly sought-after. With a total of 37 bids, this was a great auction to witness”

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