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It is known as the “Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers,” a title bestowed upon it by none other than King Edward VII when he was still the Prince of Wales back in 1902. The company actually began in 1847 when Louis Francois Cartier took over the Paris jewelry workshop located at 29 Rue Montorgueil of his mentor, Adolphe Picard. The endorsement of the English monarch propelled Cartier to fame who was regularly sought after by European royalty.
Cartier has always been known for his tradition of innovation in making timekeeping apparatuses. He was the first one to design miniature movements in the 1920s. This became considered as a landmark in the technology of making watches. After more than a century and a half of achievement in designing watches, the company has maintained the legacy of its founder by creating updated generations of modern watches. Whether it is the Baignoire, Panther, Pasha, Santos or Tank, Cartier watches will always be noted for its elegance and fine taste.
And this elegance and fine taste are reflected in its price. Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive Cartier watches.
1. Cartier Phoenix Décor Secret Watch - $2.76 million
This is a one-off Cartier watch that is shaped like a phoenix. While not noticeable at first glance, there is a watch somewhere there. The watch is made of white gold that weighs 18 carats and plated with rhodium. The eyes are made of emeralds and it also features pear-shaped and portrait-cut diamond that weighs 3.53 carats. The entire thing is covered by 3,010 brilliant-cut diamonds with a combined weight of 80.13 carats. The timepiece is a part of the collection of Merveilles du Nil de Cartier.
2. Cartier Extra Large Ballon Bleu Tourbillon Diamond Watch - $1.07 million
This timepiece measures 46 millimeters in diameter and 13 millimeters thick. The watch and bracelet are set with baguette diamonds. It has a transparent case back and slate gray dial with sun satin finished grid. The face features Roman numerals and hands that are shaped like swords. The tourbillon is visible at 6 o’clock. The timepiece is winded manually and armed with a numbered movement with Geneva Hallmark. Power reserve can last up to 50 hours.
3. Cartier Extra Large Tortue High Complication Platinum Watch - $500,000
This timepiece is a limited edition as only 15 pieces were made. It has a platinum case that measures 43 millimeters in length, 34 millimeters in width and 10.7 millimeters in thickness. It has a transparent case back and black alligator leather strap with deployant buckle. The face features a silver and guilloche dial with Roman numerals with blue apple-shaped hands. It also has a perpetual calendar, chronograph and power reserve indicator. There are subdials at the 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions, while the tourbillon is visible at 9 o’clock. Movement is winded manually and the watch is resistant up to 30 meters of water.
4. Cartier Rotonde Tourbillon Chronograph Platinum Watch - $240,000
The Cartier Rotonde Tourbillon Chronograph Platinum is a limited edition watch with only 50 pieces ever made. The round platinum case measures 45 millimeters in diameter and 15.7 millimeters in thickness. It has a transparent case back and black alligator leather strap with platinum double adjustable deployant buckle. The open worked slate grey dial has Roman numerals and blue sword-shaped hands. There are chronograph sundials at both 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Winding the timepiece manually does the movement. The watch is water resistant up to a distance of 30 meters.
5. Cartier Extra Large 47mm Ballon Bleu Chronograph Diamond Watch - $233,000
This extra large chronograph measures 47 millimeters in diameter and 15 millimeters thick. Its case is made of white gold that weighs 18 carats. The case back is transparent and the bezel is set with two rows of diamonds. The bracelet is also made of white gold and encrusted with diamonds. It also has rhodium opaline dial and diamonds with blue sword-shaped hands. Date indicator is at 9 o’clock and chronograph sundials are at 3 and 6 o’clocks. It is self-winding and water resistant up to 30 meters.
6. Cartier Extra Large Tortue Chronograph Pink Gold Watch - $205,000
Only 30 pieces of this watch were made. The case measures 43mm x 34mm x 10.7 mm and is made of 18-carat pink gold. It has transparent case back, black alligator leather strap with adjustable deployant buckle, guilloche and silvered dial with Roman numerals and blue apple-shaped hands. Chronograph sundials are at 3 and 9 o’clocks and the tourbillon is visible at 6 o’clock. The watch has manual-winding mechanical movement and is water resistant up to 30 meters.
7. Cartier Pasha 42mm Diamond White Gold Watch - $180,000
The watch is made of 18-carat white gold with bracelet fully set with round brilliant diamonds. The silvered opaline dial has guilloched inner square, Arabic numbers and diamond shaped blue steel hands. The hands and markers are luminous to make it visible even in the dark. It is self-winding and the sapphire crystal is scratch-resistant. It is also water resistant up to 30 meters.
8. Cartier Large Tortue White Gold Jewelry Ladies Watch - $172,000
Made of 18-carat white gold, the watch features transparent sapphire crystal back. The bracelet is fully paved and set with diamonds. The dial is silver grained guilloche with black Roman numerals and blue-steeled apple-shaped hands. The octagonal crown is also set with diamond. It features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and it is water resistant up to 30 meters.
9. Cartier Tortue Tourbillon Ascensionnel Platinum Watch - $165,000
Only 20 pieces were made, this watch has a transparent case back, black alligator leather strap with adjustable buckle and guilloche silvered dial with Roman and Arabic numbers. Tourbillon is at 6 o’clock. It is water resistant up to 30 meters.
10. Cartier Large Ballon Bleu Pave Diamond Watch - $164,000
This 42mm watch was produced in 2010 and 2011 only. It is made of 18-carat white gold and the bezel is set with two rows of diamonds. The bracelet is also paved with round diamonds. There is a date indicator at 3 o’clock and the silver opaline guilloche and lacquered dial has black Roman numerals. It is water resistant up to 30 meters.
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