Renowned for its timeless collections and exceptional craftsmanship, Cartier occupies a prestigious place within the watchmaking world. Among its celebrated creations, however, one collection has often flown under the radar—the Ceinture. Originally launched in 1927, this distinctive timepiece has largely remained overlooked by the wider community of watch collectors.
In the early 1970s, Cartier reintroduced the Ceinture to its esteemed lineup, reviving the design with a fresh sense of elegance and appeal. Initially offered in two case sizes—25mm and 27mm—the collection later expanded to include a more substantial 31mm version, which is the very model we are proud to offer today.
Undoubtedly, the Ceinture's most striking feature is its distinctive octagonal case. Resembling the buckle of a belt (hence its name, which means "belt" in French), the Ceinture takes the shape of a square with its corners elegantly cut, allowing the watch to command attention despite its seemingly modest dimensions.
With its stepped bezel design, the Ceinture deviates from Cartier's signature sapphire cabochon crown, instead incorporating an octagonal crown that sits flush within the bezel—an innovative element known as remontoir imperdable("captive winding") according to Cartier.
By blending Cartier's traditional design language with an unconventional case shape, the Ceinture beautifully merges the rectangular elegance of the Tank with the angular charm of the Santos, resulting in a remarkable testament to creativity. The face of the watch features a classic cream-colored Cartier dial signed "Paris" and adorned with black painted Roman numerals.
The watch is powered by an automatic movement (unlike the smaller hand-wound models) and comes attached to a slightly used Cartier strap with a plaqué Cartier folding clasp. Additionally, the proud new owner can select one of our Bulang & Sons straps from our shop, paired with a Cartier-style pin buckle. The watch has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.
Our love for these classic Cartiers runs deep—get in touch to learn more!
Specifications:
- Cartier Ceinture "Jumbo" Reference 17001
- 18k yellow gold stepped case, 31 x 31mm
- Captive winding crown
- Cream dial with painted Roman numerals
- Serial number 17001xxxx, dating to the 1970s
- Original Cartier leather strap with plaqué Cartier folding buckle
- Option to select an additional fitted leather strap from our shop
- Automatic movement
- Fully serviced by our watchmaker
- One-year mechanical warranty
- Free worldwide FedEx Priority shipping