Cartier Vendôme Vermeil Blue Stardust Dial Ref. 590003 (circa 1990s)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
Most notable Cartiers, especially older ones, are four-sided. Tanks, Santos, Pantheres, Tonneaus, even Tortues (plus each of their myriad variations) are all either overtly or subtly four-sided. There were obscure early pieces that were circular, but these were all but forgotten until the 70s when Cartier revived them as Vendômes, named after the new Parisian boutique at Place Vendôme (second store to complement its historical flagship at 13 Rue de la Paix). Vendômes are slim and sleek, versus the similarly round Colisees which are more sculptural with thick bezels. Vendômes are some of the most understated Cartiers and here we have a particularly fetching one with a textured blue dial with golden specks resembling stardust, gilt text and no indices. Discreet as originally intended, but with rich details to enchant each time you glance at your wrist.

CONDITION:
9.5/10 with barely any signs of wear. Crystal, hands and cabochon are clean. “Swiss-only” dial has some subtle lacquer surface spidering, often appreciated as characterful patina, and always indicating original vs replaced dials. Caseback engravings and hallmarks are crisp and deep. Original Cartier buckle is like new, paired with a new aftermarket strap. Movement in excellent health, and quartz-accurate.

DIMENSIONS:
30mm width excl. crown
36.8mm length incl. lugs
4.7mm thick
16mm lug width with custom T-bar cutouts
Dial width ~25.5mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm

CRYSTAL:
Sapphire

CASE:
925 sterling silver, 20 micron gold-plating

WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, as per vintage watches

STRAP:
Aftermarket matte black croc-embossed with Cartier buckle

CALIBRE:
Cartier Cal. 90, 2-hander quartz

COMES WITH:
Watch, strap and buckle

TERMS OF SALE:
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