At Analog:Shift, we’ve always been passionate about more obscure watches. We love the Tank and the Santos, but recognize that there are so many lesser appreciated references that deserve our attention. Take for example this Cartier Baignoire Allongee in white gold. 

The Baignoire — or ‘bathtub,’ for we Americans — is a collection that dates all the way back to 1906. Elegantly rounded with a thick, wide bezel, it still exists in the contemporary Cartier lineup as a series of svelte ladies’ watches whose proportions and executions simply ooze elegance. Once more, we see how Cartier takes inspiration from the most mundane items and elevates them to a level of refinement befitting a gentleman or lady of class. 

This piece comes with a full diamond bezel and case decked to the nines. Unlike most Baignoires, the Allongee is elongated, accentuating the major axis of the ellipse-shaped case. The case itself measures 21mm in width and 47mm in length, but the rounded case back allows the piece to conform to smaller wrists. While this piece is certainly more fashion-centered, it still features a manually-wound movement, the Calibre 1907 MC, as arguably every elegant watch should. 

Featuring a silver dial with Roman indices, a blued-steel 'sword' handset and a matching cabochon crown with a diamond inset, this piece is outfitted with a signed grey alligator strap equipped with a correct signed 18k white gold Ardillon pin buckle. 

If you’re looking for an elegant lady’s piece from a golden era in Cartier’s storied history, this is the one to get!