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Panda watch by Cartier

Cartier watches

Cartier lures women away from watches intended for men

We women love our Cartier watches, even those that are originally meant for men.

There is an elegance inherent in all of Cartier's designs that makes them easy to wear for both genders.

The problem, if you could call it that, dates back to 1933 when Cartier launched the Pasha (commissioned by the Pasha of Marrakech).  That style became one of the brand's bestselling ladies' watches.

In an effort to get the message across that its newest men's watch is, indeed, for men, Cartier forbid its female staff from wearing the style at this year's Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva in January.

The subject of the launch was The Calibre, which contains Cartier's calibre 1904MC automatic movement and is named after the date the firm invented the Santos, the world's first wristwatch. The watch is set in a 42mm case with distinctly rounded sides and a slightly protruding crown protector.

To distract ladies away from the Calibre, Cartier also launched the Captive de Cartier, a ladies' line which, in the largest of three sizes, is a distinctive 50mm wide (there is also a 35mm and a 27mm). The prominent feature of the watch is a diamond-set clasp that attaches the bracelet through a window that pierces the case at 12 o'clock.

Finally, Cartier wouldn't be Cartier if it didn't introduce an entire collection of high jewellery watches. This year, the collection ranges in price from approximately US$72,500 to just under US$3-million, and includes a new Circe Animalier collection of four watches depicting an elephant, a turtle, a panda and a tiger. The collection epitomizes the Metiers D'Arts of marquetry, enamel, high watchmaking and gemsetting.