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Made For The Wrist’s Wild Side.
Cartier’s been known to flirt with convention, but every so often it takes a full detour—and the Cartier Driver is one of those rare exits off the main road. First introduced in the 1930s and revived in 1997 as part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP), this is Cartier looking back at its oddball golden years and saying, “Let’s do that again—but better.” Only 150 were made. This one is number 135. Blink and you’ll miss it in the wild, but if you’ve got George Gordon’s Cartier book on hand, flip to page 178. It’s there—etched in history.
Let’s talk form: at first glance, it’s all smooth, gliding curves and bevels, with tube-like lugs that feel borrowed from a blueprint of a streamline moderne building. But turn it sideways and things get cheeky—the watch is curved, dramatically so. Not to fit your wrist better (although it does), but because it’s a proper Driver’s watch, meant to sit on the side of the wrist. Think of it as an analog car mount for a time before we needed directions to the grocery store. You glance, you see the time, you keep your eyes (mostly) on the road.
The strap? Original Cartier burgundy alligator. Deep maroon, stitched tight, and completely continuous—because here’s the kicker: the deployant buckle is hidden inside the lower “leg” of the case. No obvious hinge. No pin buckle in sight. Just a seamless wrap of leather that fastens like magic. Cartier even snuck in a two-tone twist: the deployant’s interior clasp is made of rose gold, likely for structural integrity (rose gold’s copper content makes it tougher). But also? It just looks cool.
The dial plays its own game of hide-and-seek. Traditional Roman numerals? Check. Guilloché center? CPCP perfection. But look again—there’s no railroad track. And nestled at the ten o'clock marker is Cartier’s barely-there secret signature. The guilloché itself? A repeating oval pattern with a silvery glisten that catches the light like a knowing smirk. It’s all topped off with heat-blued sword hands that deliver both poise and purpose.
Inside, there’s a manual-wind Caliber 006 by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Not only is it a slick mechanical engine, but it's also back-winding. That means the crown is out of sight, leaving the case perfectly sleek—zero protrusions, zero interruptions.
This is one of those neo-vintage unicorns that threads the needle between playful quirk and serious horological heritage. It's part wristwatch, part conversation starter, and possibly the only Cartier that encourages distracted driving (responsibly, of course).
Near mint, like it just took a joyride through time and didn’t hit a single pothole.
The case is well preserved, unlikely polished in its past.
The case back has super sharp engravings and hallmarks. Only light scratches from handling.
The leather strap has been barely worn. The clasp is in mint condition.
The dial, hands and crystal are immaculate with no blemishes to note.
