Cartier opens the watchmaking year at SIHH 2008 with a new version of the Ballon bleu de Cartier, this time with a masculine touch. Still the quintessential dandy watch, Cartier displays its peerless design savvy with the soft curves that typify this model.

Actually, that is an understatement. Present are the usual ball-like shape, the quirky crown (with a blue sapphire cabochon) and winding mechanism and the distorting glass but this time, Cartier introduces a leather strap. Not groundbreaking to be sure but that should not take away from the fun of this watch because that is what something like the Ballon bleu de Cartier is by nature.

Pictures cannot fully convey the unusual personality of the watch. Surely, the serious watch lover can pause to admire the audacity of the piece – and the audacity of its owner.

Available in pink gold, the automatic watch can also serve up the time – hours, minutes and seconds – and the date just as well as any more staid watch could. It just takes a few more chances.

www.cartier.com

via Watch Tribune