This Week On The Bench: A Délices de Cartier
blurring the lines between Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie
IN-HOUSE TEAM | 380 words | 3 MIN READ
15th February, 2025: This week, Luxury Watch Works had the privilege of restoring a Délices de Cartier W8100009.
Delightfully Petite
This elegant timepiece features a small 18k rose gold case accented by a sapphire cabochon crown, and a lacquered silvered dial showcasing a delicate flinqué pattern and classic black Roman numerals. Powered by a quartz movement, it is fitted with a toile brossée strap and an 18k rose gold ardillon buckle, and is water-resistant to 30 meters.
A Vision of Femininity
In the early 2000s, the Délices de Cartier collection offered a new vision of feminine timekeeping, moving beyond the traditionally masculine aesthetics of watchmaking. Timepieces such as the W8100009 were crafted to be playful, lighthearted, and undeniably works of art, embodying the joy and beauty suggested by the name "Délices" (delights).
A New Heart & Radiant Finish
Upon initial inspection, the Délices de Cartier W8100009 required a new quartz movement and a restoration of its original brilliance. The technical team began with a meticulous disassembly, carefully separating each component—crown, dial, hands, and movement—to expose the watch's inner workings. The 18k rose gold case, dulled by time, was then meticulously cleaned and polished. With a new movement in place, the watch was reassembled within the now-gleaming case.
Rigorous checks of the watch's rate and power consumption ensued, along with water resistance testing to ensure it met the stringent standards of its original design. After a final day of quality control, the revitalized Délices de Cartier W8100009, its elegance restored, was ready to return to its owner.
The Jeweller’s Touch
Even as our team worked to restore its inner workings, the timeless beauty of the W8100009's design remained evident. The uniquely shaped, elliptical (tonneau) case, a hallmark of the collection, lends a softer, more organic silhouette, distinguishing the timepiece as both a precision instrument and a piece of fine jewellery.
A View From the Back
Turn a Délices de Cartier over, and its quiet elegance is revealed. The case back, subtly engraved with the "Cartier" signature, whispers of heritage and quality, a hidden counterpoint to the case's bold curves, balancing artistry and precision.
All images in this article have been taken by the in-house team at Luxury Watch Works. To use these images, please get in touch with us for licensing requests here.