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The most beautiful Cartier ever?!
When it comes to a debate of which has been the most beautiful Cartier watch produced, the Crash and Tank Cintree would be the usual suspects. But for me the Cloche has always been my favourite due to its unique design and its versatlity of doubling up as a desk clock. Not many watches can boast of this.
I had missed out on the cloches produced in 2021 and had been asking my AD at 13 rue de la Paix (the flagship store in Paris) to get me a platinum Cloche should one still be available. That was in 2023 so I was quite surprised in October 2024 when she asked me if I might be keen on a special salmon dial Cloche produced exclusively for 13 rue re la Paix. I actually did not say yes immediately as I have never been crazy about salmon dials and to order one without even seeing the watch seemed quite reckless. To cut a long story short, I decided to be reckless and not miss out on the opportunity. After a lengthy wait, six weeks later I was told that I had been allocated a piece much to my delight and surprise, to be honest.
Fast forward on to New Year's Day 2025 and I finally took delivery of my Cloche. When I tried on the watch, I was pleasantly surprised that the hue of the salmon dial blended with my skin tone exceptionally well. I love the dimunitive size of the watch, the Breguet hands, the 13 on the dial, that to me makes it terribly unique, and the cabochon ruby on the crown. The watch has been keeping good time and I seem to find any excuse to stare at my wrist when the Cloche is on it, something I don't usually do.
The packaging of the Cloche was quite special with the address of the boutique on the wooden box and the watch also came with a pair of tiger eye cufflinks made in white gold and sliver. Buying a watch for me is not just about the watch but the entire purchase experience so I am pleased that this has been postiviely memorable.
I have probably a smaller collection compared to many of the purists here (I have six watches) and I am pleased that the Cloche is now a part of it.
Thank you for reading and Happy New Year!
The most beautiful Cartier ever?!
When it comes to a debate of which has been the most beautiful Cartier watch produced, the Crash and Tank Cintree would be the usual suspects. But for me the Cloche has always been my favourite due to its unique design and its versatlity of doubling up as...
What a beauty
One of my favorite Cartier releases. A platinum beauty that is quirky and cool
Thanks a lot!
I don't usually get allocated anything as rare as this so this is quite a coup for me!
This may be my one and only Cartier
but I would like to think the patience has paid off! Thank you for your feedback.
Exceptional - and a great
story to boot, congratulations! Please post another picture of your watch in desk clock mode. Cheers Marc
But I have to confess Marc
that it is unlikely that I shall be using the cloche for that purpose. After wearing it, it will almost certainly go back safely into a case.
That's too bad, really. I often
take off my watch when I work at a desk or table and, as you wrote, the Cloche is quite the rare natural in such situations.
I have this bad habit
Either the watch is on my wrist or it is in a protected case. And even when removing my watch, I would ensure that I do it with the protection of a mattress underneath just in case I drop it. I had a beautiful walnut watch box but I sold it yesterday simp...
Are you me?
I totally agree with you and do the exact same thing up to taking off my watch on a mattress and putting it directly in a protective box. I don’t even have a big watch box, all boxes are individual as I am scared inside a big box two watches can bump into...
I am definitely you! :-)
I too keep my watches individually rather than altogether to be extra safe. Afterall these watches are the result of years of hard work and they are among my most valuable possessions. I am glad to meet someone who shares the same philosposhy when it come...
Keep up the good work Derreck! :-)
We are definitely in a minority! I must confess I am equally as careful with all my watches irrespective of their value. And worse of all, if I am comfronted with a crowded situation, I tend to protect the watch I am wearing by placing my wrist behind my ...
Well, I'm definitely neither of you but
I'm glad you two have found each other, hehe. Cheers Marc
Thank you Derrek but
I have actually stopped collecting. This was reallly a one off. I am happy with the six or seven watches that I have ended up with.
I understand.
I wish one day I too can come to a happy place, I just started buying watches in mid 2023 so probably have along way to go.
For a young man
it is a good to see that you are so meticulous with your watches. Enjoy the next 30 years (at least) ogling at and acquiring watches because for the customer/collector, there has never been a better time to be interested in watches with the numerous offer...
I can’t say I’m young.
I’m a bit of a late bloomer, but I’m hooked. Especially this place has been a life saver for my hobby, the camaraderie here is second to none. I’m hoping to continue to take delight in watches for the next 30 years 🤞🏼. Thank you for your well wishes and a...
As they do say Derreck
better late than never and this is a very rewarding hobby. To actually being able to make friends from this forum is an added bonus. I have met some very nice people here from all walks of life, some of whom have become close friends.
Yes this place is like an oasis.
I can’t imagine to befriend anyone other than from this site on the internet. It’s refreshing to be able to have a quiet place where you can chat about your hobby with decent people.
Well I am glad you feel that way about this forum
I have been blessed meeting great people from this forum and also, at watch events. They have become actual friends and we actually do meet up and sometimes do not even speak about watches at all simply because we have found other common interests besides...
It’s great to be able to find
likeminded people. After a certain age making good friends becomes harder, I sometimes talk with people from this site, a Norwegian member for example helped me a lot for our long summer vacation in Oslo. With time I’m sure I’ll also make some good friend...
Agreed on all counts Derreck!
I have encountered a number of people on this site who have gone out of their way to assist me either with advice on a watch purchase and I have been fortunate to also be able to offer some advice to others.
Many congratulations!
That is just such a beautiful piece, the salmon dial is exceptional (i love a salmon dial!) and the grey strap is just fantastic. Health to wear!
Thank you Neville!
The grey strap I must confess is not the softest in typical Cartier style but I love this watch so much that I am not really complaining.
Thank you for this very nice post
and huge congratulations for the acquisition of this very special piece. And best wishes for the new year.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Mahesh actually beat me to it but I thought I would share my experience nevertheless.
Big congratulations!
This definitely qualifies as future heirloom piece for me… Wear it in good health. Regards
Huge congratulations!
A beautiful and special piece. Looks perfect on your wrist too.
Thank you Goh for saying so!
I have a penchant towards smaller watches so the Cloche seemed like a no brainer. The hue of the salmon dial was merely an added bonus!
Thank you very much Andrea!
One of the most important requirements I look for in a watch is its wearability. The Cloche scores with a big tick!
Agreed!
Seldom does one highlight the movements used in a Cartier watch. But good God, they are the definition of great design. No other watch brand has so many iconic designs - the crash, the normale, the tank, the tank cintree, the tank basculante, the cloche, ...
That I can totally relate to
I am a firm believer that if we have to save for a watch, we will appreciate it so much more than if we have millions in our bank account and can buy anything we wish. It might sound like a dream to many but the struggle, the saving and having to wait for...
And for that I salute you
because it shows that every watch you have added to your collection has been boiught with much thought and consideraion. Very few of us have not sold some watches in our collection and I myself have been guilty of selling no fewer than eighty watches over...
Agreed!
Unfortunately sometimes we do not have the luxury of time (pun intended!) and we have to decide quickly or mss out on a rare opportunity. I had to do that with this Cartier Cloche without having even seen it but fortunately it has paid off!
I much prefer to be able to see a watch and try it on first
but in such instances, one might have to take a risk and make a hasty decision which might or might not pay off. When that happens. I would only buy the watch if it had a good resale value just in case I don't like it when I finally see it
It has worked for me fortunately
but this is after having made expensive mistakes in the past buying watches that do not fit my wrist or that i do not like without having seen or tried them on so enough was enough. I think after missing out on Rexhep's Chronometer Contemporain years ago ...
That is my philiosphy too!
But I am happy with what I have been blessed with and I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason
Thank you!
You too my friend. As I am retired or rather too lazy to work, every day is a weekend for me!
Take it from me
Not working and retirement are terribly under rated as long as you have things to keep yourself occupied - for me it is squash, my wife and watches, not necessarily in that order
I probably am a slow learner
but my first twenty years of collecting were filled with questionable purchases but thank goodness I have become wiser and would like to think, I have made up for those mistakes in the last 12 years. I hope so anyway hence I am close to the end of my purc...
Expensive lessons
but as I always say, it is the end result that counts. What I would have bought 30 years ago would probably never be considered today. I guess one could call it maturity!
Also I must confess
that 30 years ago, I could not possibly afford what I am buying lately!
