Vendome (Mast Vendome)

Cartier has produced many different models of watches throughout the years, but it is also true that there are many models that continue to fascinate us no matter how much time passes.

One of these models is the "Vendome" model.

Here, we will explain the appeal of the now discontinued "Vendome" model.

The appeal of Cartier's Vendôme watch

I'm sure you're all familiar with Vendôme, a prestigious establishment in Paris, France.

This model is named after the "Place Vendôme".

One evening in the 1920s, Louis Cartier noticed the shape of a carriage hitch and was inspired to create a new wristwatch, which is why he designed this watch.

Place Vendôme is a square in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, where the world's upper class, fashion designers and celebrities gather.

This epitome of Parisian elegance is home to Cartier's flagship store.

Cartier's Vendôme model was designed to offer a quality that could be catered to customers from all over the world visiting Paris, and so the Vendôme Louis Cartier was born in 1930.

Resurrected in 1973 in the Louis Cartier collection

After some time passed, in 1973, the "Louis Cartier Collection" was born, with the aim of reviving the collection designed by the third generation Louis Cartier.

There were 12 models in the collection, and the Vendôme was one of them.

A distinctive feature of the Vendôme watches made in the Louis Cartier collection is the decorative sides of the case.

The case is also made of 18K yellow gold, and the men's model is equipped with an automatic movement, while the ladies' model is equipped with a hand-winding movement.

It has a well-balanced and original design that is typical of Cartier and is rarely seen today.

Two types of Vendôme were developed in the late 1970s.

In the 1930s, watches were still luxury items that only the wealthy could afford, but by the 1980s, quartz technology had become established, and the "Must de Vendôme" was released, which had the same design but at a lower price.

On the left is the luxury line VLC (Vendome Louis Cartier), and on the right is the cheaper model " Must de Vendome .

At first glance, you probably can't tell the difference, but take a look at the logo.

The VLC on the left only says "CARTIER," while the mast on the right says "must de Cartier."

The materials are also different.

The VLC is made of 18K gold, while the mast is made of pure silver plated with gold, a process called vermeil.

So, at first glance the two models look the same, but when you look closely there are big differences.

The simple yet sophisticated design, without the frills that are characteristic of Cartier, was recognized as a highly fashionable watch at the time and captivated women all over the world in the 1980s.

The concept for Mast Vendôme was born in 1973 when two men joined forces to revive Cartier.

The two were Robert Hoch and Alain-Dominique Perrin.

Hock coined the phrase "Les Musts de Cartier" and wanted to create "a product line that everyone must have."

He then appointed Perrin as the new CEO of Les Musts de Cartier, a cheaper spin-off of Cartier.


Paying homage to the original "Vendôme Louis Cartier," the Must de Vendôme was released with a variety of dials, including dark blue, wine red, black, and even striped three-tone gold.

This was the first time that Cartier had mass-produced a watch on such a large scale.

It was also the first time that Cartier released a quartz watch.

But the watch was a huge hit.

Until then, Cartier's watch sales had been around 3,000 units per year, but by the end of the 1970s, they had topped 160,000 units.


Since then, countless Must de Vendôme watches have been released, for both men and women, with different sizes, shapes, dial colors and finishes.

However, the Must de Vendôme fulfilled its role and was discontinued in the mid-2000s.

In short, Cartier watches, even quartz watches, were loved by people all over the world.

The Must de Vendôme occupies an important place in Cartier's history, reflecting the ingenuity with which the brand overcame a difficult time in its survival.

Affordable watches and jewelry brands don't seem to fit the image. He has succeeded in preserving the tradition and uniqueness of the Cartier brand.

I also believe that even for those of us living in the modern age, this watch is one that remains fashionable and timeless.

Like all models, Cartier watches never go out of style.

This is because we pursue simplicity and therefore are not influenced by trends.

The background behind Cartier's various lines

Finally, a supplementary explanation: Cartier now offers products other than jewelry and watches, such as fragrances and wallets.

This is because Hock, mentioned earlier, came from the lighter business, and from the late 1960s to the 1970s, he succeeded in making lighters one of the collections offered by Cartier.

This gave Cartier the opportunity to develop products beyond jewelry, such as leather goods, pens and fragrances, that were affordable for everyday use but still exuded the magical aura of Cartier.