Designed by Louis Cartier in 1934 and popularized during the Les Must de Cartier initiative of the late 1970s through the 1990s, the Vendôme drew inspiration from Paris’s Place Vendôme. The model line featured a sterling silver core electroplated with 20 microns of yellow gold, a construction officially designated as vermeil. This 24mm reference features a minimalist burgundy lacquered dial framed by a step-down central lug attachment that integrates directly into the case.
Founded in Paris in 1847, Cartier approaches horology with the perspective of a master jeweler, prioritizing form, proportion, and aesthetic purity. The Maison was a crucial pioneer of the modern wristwatch, creating the purpose-built Santos-Dumont in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont and later the iconic Tank in 1917, whose "brancards" seamlessly integrated the case and lugs into a singular design.
While historically collaborating with ebauche movement suppliers, Cartier has since invested significantly in its own manufacture capabilities in Switzerland, developing a suite of in-house calibres. The brand's enduring significance lies not in technical innovation, but in creating a portfolio of iconic case shapes that are foundational to watchmaking itself.
Overall Grade: 7.5 / 10 | Good Condition, Medium Wear Production: est. 1990 Contents: Watch and Box Genre: Vintage Dress Watch
Size: 24mm Thickness: approx. 5mm Lug Width: approx. 12mm
Case: Gold-plated silver case, mirrored, light wear Bezel: Fixed bezel, mirrored finish, light wear Dial: Burgundy lacquered dial with spidering, medium wear Hands: Gold sword hands
Crown: Push/pull beaded crown with blue cabochon, light wear Crystal: Mineral crystal, light wear Bracelet: Aftermarket strap, light wear Caseback: Gold-plated sterling silver, solid, screw-on, light wear Movement: Quartz Caliber: Swiss Ebauche