Cartier "Rope" Bracelet Watch

Tucked away in a collector’s vault for decades, this 1960s Cartier bracelet watch is finally stepping out into the light—like Rapunzel deciding she'd had enough of the tower and dropping her golden rope to the world below.

But this isn’t just any rope. It’s a hand-wrought, solid 18K yellow gold masterpiece, each twisted link forming a seamless, sculptural braid from end to end. The case doesn’t interrupt the design—it’s part of it, integrated so naturally into the loop you could almost miss it if it weren’t for the charmingly soft salmon dial peeking out with Arabic numerals in Cartier’s unmistakable vintage font.

Made in Paris, as proudly confirmed by its French hallmarks, this bracelet watch hails from a Cartier era that collectors are always chasing, the 1960s. Before larger production diluted the magic, Cartier was producing watches in tiny batches, often by hand and often with movement partnerships like this one: a manual-winding Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 8NR, cleverly tucked behind the dial and wound from the back so as not to disturb the rope’s uninterrupted rhythm.

Speaking of which—don’t miss the clasp. No random clip or exposed hardware here. Cartier designed the buckle into the final link itself, a smooth flip-open mechanism that closes the loop both literally and aesthetically.

Heavy on the wrist (just over 102 grams), this bracelet wraps with presence and polish, yet fits like a tailored piece of armor at 6¾ inches of wearable length.

This is the kind of watch you rarely see and even more rarely find available. For decades, it’s been kept out of circulation—held tight, like Rapunzel in her tower. But now the braid has dropped, and it’s ready for someone to wear it, not just admire it.