About Ronde de Cartier Watches
Named after the French word for “round,” Cartier Ronde watches are not the typical “shaped watches” that the Maison is famous for. However, regardless of their traditional round cases, Ronde de Cartier watches are instantly recognizable as Cartier creations thanks to the brand’s signature design details. From the understated Ronde Solo to the sporty Ronde Croisière to the exclusive Ronde Louis Cartier, the Ronde watch collection is Cartier’s take on the most classic of watchmaking silhouettes.
Ronde de Cartier History
Round timepieces have been a part of Cartier’s catalog since at least the 1910s in the form of exquisite jewelry watches for ladies. In 1911, Cartier created a platinum pocket watch that featured a double chapter ring on the dial — a feature that would later reappear on modern Cartier Ronde watches.
While the history of Cartier’s round watches is not as publicized as its iconic rectangular, square and barrel-shaped watches, it’s been reported that Louis Cartier designed a round timepiece in 1937 he called the “Ronde Louis Cartier.”
Cartier produced Ronde watches in the 1980s with simple time-only dials powered by manually wound movement and gold cases. In 1998, Cartier introduced the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line, which served to highlight the brand’s historic models — including the Ronde Louis Cartier watch.
By the mid-2000s, Cartier unveiled the Ronde Solo as a modern and minimalist version of the Ronde Louis Cartier. Although initial Ronde Solo models exclusively sported steel cases and ran on quartz movements, Cartier added automatic versions, in addition to rose gold editions. About a decade later, the Ronde Croisière appeared as Cartier’s version of a cruise collection for jet-setters seeking warmer climates during winter months. Cartier has continuously expanded the Ronde collection with additional sizes, movement types and case materials.
Ronde de Cartier Timeline
1910s: Cartier makes round jewelry wristwatches.
1911: Cartier makes its first double chapter ring pocket watch, which would later inspire the design of the Ronde Louis Cartier dial.
1937: Cartier debuts the Ronde Louis Cartier watch.
1998: Cartier releases the Ronde Louis Cartier Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) collection.
2006: Cartier introduces the Ronde Solo watch.
2015: Cartier introduces the Ronde Croisière watch.
Ronde de Cartier Models and Features
Cartier Ronde watches have round cases and short curvy lugs. Like most Cartier watches, the Ronde models also include Roman numerals on the dial and a cabochon-cut stone set into the winding crown. One particularly intriguing feature of most Ronde watches is the double chapter rings on the dials. The outside one houses Roman numerals from 1 to 12, and the inner one features Arabic numerals from 13 to 24. This design is directly inspired by a 1911 Cartier pocket watch with the same dial layout and serves to tell the time on a 24-hour scale like in the military. Other details vary across the three main types of Ronde de Cartier watches.
Ronde Louis Cartier Models
- Precious metal cases
- Case sizes: 29mm, 36mm, 40mm or 42mm
- Blue cabochon-cut sapphire set crown
- Time-only dials
- Breguet-style hands
- Leather straps
- Hand-wound or quartz movement
Ronde Solo Models
- Stainless steel or pink gold cases
- Case sizes: 29mm, 36mm or 42mm
- Blue cabochon-cut synthetic spinel set crown
- Time-only or time/date dials
- Sword-style hands
- Leather straps or steel bracelets
- Automatic or quartz movement
Ronde Croisière Models (discontinued)
- Steel case with ADLC black-coated steel bezel or steel and pink gold plated case with ADLC black-coated steel bezel
- Case size: 42mm
- Black cabochon-cut synthetic spinel set crown
- Time/date dials
- Skeletonized sword-style hands
- Black leather straps with canvas motif
- Caliber 1847 MC automatic movement
It’s also important to note that the now-discontinued CPCP Ronde Louis Cartier featured 33mm cases in either gold or platinum.
Ronde de Cartier Prices and Collectibility
The steel Ronde Solo models are some of the most affordable Cartier watches available. In 2021, the official retail prices of Cartier Ronde Solo watches are as follows:
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (WSRN0019), 29mm steel case, leather strap, time-only, quartz: $2,580
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (W6701004), 29mm steel case, steel bracelet, time-only, quartz: $2,830
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (WSRN0021), 36mm steel case, leather strap, time-only, automatic: $3,250
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (WSRN0012), 36mm steel case, steel bracelet, time-only, automatic: $3,500
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (WSRN0022), 42mm steel case, leather strap, time/date, automatic: $3,600
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (W6701011), 42mm steel case, steel bracelet, time/date, automatic: $3,850
- Ronde Solo de Cartier (W6701009), 42mm rose gold case, leather strap, time/date, automatic: $9,900
Preowned Ronde Solo de Cartier watches typically cost less than retail prices with ladies’ quartz steel models starting at $1,750 and automatic men’s steel models starting at $2,600. Preowned gold Cartier Ronde Solo watches with quartz movements generally start at $4,000 while automatic ones start at around $5,500.
Only fashioned from precious metals and often set with diamonds, Ronde Louis Cartier models are more expensive than Ronde Solo variants. 2021 prices for some popular Ronde Louis Cartier models are as follows:
- Ronde Louis Cartier (W6800151), 29mm rose gold case, leather strap, time-only, quartz: $8,100
- Ronde Louis Cartier (WR000351), 29mm rose gold case, diamond-set bezel, leather strap, time-only, quartz: $16,600
- Ronde Louis Cartier (WR000251), 29mm white gold case, diamond-set bezel, leather strap, time-only, quartz: $17,700
- Ronde Louis Cartier (W6800251), 36mm rose gold case, leather strap, time-only, manual winding: $11,000
- Ronde Louis Cartier (WGRN0006), 36mm rose gold case, leather strap, time-only, automatic: $11,700
- Ronde Louis Cartier (WR000651), 36mm rose gold case, diamond-set bezel, leather strap, time-only, manual winding: $23,200
- Ronde Louis Cartier (W6801005), 40mm rose gold case, leather strap, time/date, automatic: $13,800
- Ronde Louis Cartier (W6801004), 42mm rose gold case, leather strap, time-only, manual winding: $15,000
Preowned Ronde Louis Cartier with 36mm cases start at $7,800 while models with 42mm cases start at $11,500. Secondhand Ronde Louis Cartier watches with 29mm cases start at $4,500 without diamonds and $13,000 with diamonds.
Vintage yellow gold Ronde Louis Cartier Privée (CPCP) models are collectible watches, appreciated by Cartier enthusiasts. Expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to over $8,000 for these smaller 33mm watches.
Although Cartier has discontinued the Ronde Croisière collection, preowned Cartier Ronde Croisière watches can be purchased from the secondary market with prices starting at $2,800.