First off, Cartier. Let’s be real, they’re fancy. Like, *really* fancy. I mean, “high-end jeweler” doesn’t even *begin* to cover it. We’re talking “if-I-ever-own-one-I’ll-be-afraid-to-wear-it-in-case-I-scratch-it” fancy. And their jewelry? Forget about it. Talk about iconic… those collections like the… uh… what was it… oh yeah, Tank, Santos, Panthère, Ballon Bleu… they’re practically *synonymous* with luxury. You see one of those, you KNOW.
But watches, though. The watches are where it gets interesting. ‘Cause like, yeah, they’re gorgeous, right? But also… they’re watches. You know? So you gotta ask yourself, is it *really* worth it? Especially when you see the pre-owned market on WatchCharts. Like, 779 Cartier watches they got listed. That’s… a lot. And the prices! Don’t even get me started.
Okay, okay, lemme focus. Let’s talk about a specific one, that Baignoire. Seriously, try saying that five times fast. “Baignoire, Baignoire, Baignoire…” Anyway, the Baignoire de Cartier. The small model. Quartz movement. Uh… it’s gold. Yellow gold. 18k, to be exact (750/1000 if you’re feeling technical). And get this, it’s *covered* in diamonds. 227 of ’em. Totaling, like, 2.25 carats. That’s… a LOT of bling. Oh, and the crown? Yeah, that’s got a diamond too. A measly 0.08 carats. (Sarcasm, people, sarcasm!)
And then there’s the dial, which is mother-of-pearl. Fancy-schmancy. Yellow.
Here’s the thing, though. Okay, *personal opinion time*. I get it. It’s beautiful. It’s a status symbol. It screams “I have disposable income and good taste!” (Or at least, I *think* I have good taste). But… quartz movement? On a watch that probably costs more than my car? I dunno, man. That just feels… wrong. I mean, for that kind of money, I’d kinda expect a nice automatic movement. Something with gears and springs and tiny little hammers doing tiny little things. You know, *watchmaking*. Not just a battery.
Look, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Cartier is *bad*. They’re clearly doing something right. And if you got the money and you want to rock a diamond-encrusted Baignoire, you go for it! I’ll be over here, slightly jealous and wondering if I can afford a *slightly* less expensive (and maybe automatic) watch. Maybe one with, like, *one* diamond. Or maybe just some really convincing cubic zirconia.
So, what’s the “right price” to pay for a Cartier? Well, that’s the million-dollar question (or, you know, the *several-thousand*-dollar question). Depends on the model, the condition, the market… and how much you’re willing to part with. Do your research. Check out WatchCharts. And most importantly, ask yourself: do you *really* need a watch that costs more than a down payment on a house?
