Cartier Riviera "Paris" Yellow gold & Diamonds - 1996 (full set)

Like a ray of sunshine

Description

The name “Riviera” alone evokes images of sunshine, summer on a terrace, and the French Riviera. That is undoubtedly why this piece was given this name. With its delicate and refined design, the Riviera plays with light thanks to the diamond-set bezel and the baguette-cut diamonds adorning the 18-carat yellow gold “rice grain” bracelet. This attention to detail is also evident on the sides of the case, where the gold is engraved in a wave-like pattern.

A sunburst dial—a design you don’t come across very often. The dial is signed “Paris,” indicating that it was produced exclusively in Paris. This timepiece, which is both a watch and a piece of jewelry, is equipped with a hand-wound mechanical movement. 

To top it all off, this Cartier Riviera comes with its original paperwork from 1996 and its case.

Why Françoise chose it

More than just a watch, this Cartier Riviera is a true piece of jewelry—an impression accentuated by the size of its case. Françoise likes to show that the worlds of jewelry and watchmaking are intimately linked. This piece illustrates that perfectly. 

It is undeniably very elegant. A rare jeweled watch that you’re unlikely to see on anyone else’s wrist. A watch you’ll wear in the evening like a piece of jewelry, yet one whose style can also be dressed down during the day with jeans and a shirt. Thanks to its refined craftsmanship and attention to detail, this model avoids the “flashy” look that some overly jeweled watches can have.

One glance at this watch is all it takes to understand Françoise’s choice. A precious piece, full of finesse and elegance. If it weren’t so beautiful to look at, you might even forget it’s on your wrist.A nod to the world of Cartier jewelry.

History

The history of the Cartier Riviera is relatively little known. It is believed to have been introduced in the late 1970s, around 1977. The watch, released in two sizes during the period (30 and 26 mm), was equipped with a mechanical movement despite the Quartz crisis.