The name Cartier requires no introduction. As one of the most influential and celebrated jewelry and watch brands of the last 100 years, it has always stood as a mark of luxury and desirability. Without taking away from its historical significance, I would say that when it comes to watches, Cartier has always been predominantly known as a ‘design’ brand rather than a pure watchmaking one, with stunningly iconic models such as the Tank, the Crash, and the Santos all seen as important due to how it looks. In fact, to this day, it is the beautiful and unconventional designs that attract collectors and it is a unique position in the watch brand hierarchy that no other brand possesses.
What we have here today is a watch that deviates slightly from Cartier’s typical offerings that predominantly feature non-round case designs. Despite this departure, it preserves all the distinctive design elements that clearly mark it as a Cartier. This underscores the enduring power of Cartier's iconic design language; regardless of the case shape, its Cartier identity remains strong and is instantly recognizable from afar.
This is the Ronde Louis Cartier—a watch that is simple in design, and I think, quite a versatile one as well. Encased in a beautifully crafted 18-carat rose gold case measuring 36mm, it features a grained dial with a subtle off-white hue that beautifully complements its rose gold case. Adorning the periphery are Cartier's signature Roman numerals, complemented by a rounded minutes track, and Arabic numerals below to indicate the hours in 24-hour format. The dial also hosts a set of apple-shaped blued-steel hands, and as a hallmark of Cartier, it is fitted with a blue sapphire cabochon on the crown.
Powering the Ronde Louis Cartier from within is Cartier’s manual-winding Cal. 430MC, a movement based on the ultra-thin Piaget Cal. 430P and can hold a respectable 38-hour power reserve on a full wind.
Enthusiasts know that Cartier may not be traditionally renowned for its high-end technical watchmaking prowess, but the Maison embodies something much deeper than that. Its designs exude a sense of timeless transcendence that resonates with watch enthusiasts and connoisseurs across generations. For me, this essence is encapsulated in the iconic Cartier Tank, yet traces of this transcendent quality can also be found in some of its other modern offerings, such as this Ronde Louis Cartier.
If you're a fan of Cartier but lean towards the classic round cases that are mostly familiar in watch designs, this Ronde Louis Cartier is an excellent choice to look into.
