Best Of Two: Cartier Dress Watches | MR PORTER

For this episode of About Time, we explore what exactly we want from a dress watch, and why Cartier is so good – perhaps uniquely so – at providing it. Through a side-by-side look at the Ballon Bleu de Cartier and the Santos-Dumont, we see how the careful mastery of shape, size, proportion and detail yields a watch that is both showy and restrained, whether that’s the curved sophistication of the Ballon Bleu or the geometric harmony of the Santos-Dumont. By bringing these particular two watches together, we show how it’s possible to answer the dress-watch brief in quite different ways; despite the inherent formality of the concept, today’s elegant timepieces don’t have to stay in the box until you have a black-tie function to attend – they lend themselves to dressing down, too.



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[zyembla]

That balloon bleu is one of the most beautiful watches I've ever seen

[stefanmusaki]

It’s charmingly original and demands the harmonious company of a dress shirt cuff … Wow 👏🏽 this mans diction is quite simply breathtaking

[josueandaluz]

Just picked up a Santos Dumont and I'm in love with it, amazing video

[AbdulRehman-yrwt]

I cannot forget the moment when one of the guest in a hotel i worked shown me bleu in 3 different colors to match them with his garment color. I fell in love right away. So elegant!

[dominicgerfelder]

absolutely stunning watches! beautifully displayed in this video for sure - very good job

[jacksandor]

The words used in these videos make it that much better

[TitanV]

Mr. Porter, you guys need to do A. Lange & Sohne next! It should be incredible!

[d.b_]

The Balon Blue de Cartier is a stunning watch….OMD! I’m gonna save up to buy the exact one in this video😋

[esdrasr.]

Is the perfect watch for me 100 years of calibration endurance piece of art my favorite ballon blue

[mostuc]

Because of this video, i just had to have both watches.. such great watches and such a great video.

[carlelsby]

Sheer perfection and timeless, I like most of them

[jezdelion]

Fantastic video! Love the Santos, such rich history! Cartier is one of my favourite houses.

[Ayham.Alhlaly]

Balloon bleu is incredibly beautiful, I will give a gift for a special person with engraving the name of this person in the Cartier back cover, one day I hope this comes true ❤🙏.

[canadianwatchmonkey]

I’m in love with the solid gold Ballon Bleu

[scorpleeon]

Drooling over the square case, a twist on the Cartier tank watch I’ve wanted since I was a child. So unusual (boo Apple Watch) lol

[MatthewJBD]

When are you releasing the CASIO vintage video?

Nothing quite at elegant as that squared, digital beauty.

[allbymyself]

This is a “very beautiful” and soothing video Mr. Porter.

[davidobrien]

Youve made me change my thinking on the Balloon bleu .

[a-complished]

It’s my absolute dream to have a Santos

[aranyakm]

Language is exquisite. It is comparable to the design of the watch.