#TBT Reinventing My Tastes With Cartier Vermeil Trinity Watches

I will be highly opinionated today, and I am ready to take a few punches if you disagree with me. No matter how simple a Cartier design is, it’s heavy. Heavy for self-esteem, that is. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, I don’t see Cartier as a door-opening brand for watch collecting, whether modern or vintage. Today, we’re looking at Cartier Vermeil Trinity models.

To fully understand Cartier, you must “grow” into it. And I don’t mean growing your bank account because there are sweet €1,000 Cartier deals you can land. I was thinking more of growing a few more wrinkles on your forehead. Judging purely from personal experience, I believe it’s inevitable to have dozens of wrist affairs with other brands before you can fully enjoy your romance with a Cartier watch.

Image: Wind Vintage

What does that mean?

If you haven’t grown up in an environment or family in which a Cartier watch is as usual an item as toothpaste, I believe it’s not easy to embrace one as your everyday watch. The cult case shapes and even more cultish Roman numerals make it an object of ultimate beauty, elegance, and almost nobleness. The clean and simple design hidden by definition in that warm, shiny yellow case carries so much individuality and class that it is not easy to level.

Image: Amsterdam Vintage Watches

Slow on Cartier

That’s what I have to say to explain why I have not a single Cartier watch yet. Well, I had one, but I didn’t feel it, so I sold it. With hundreds of timepieces in my collection, I made thousands of combinations for different outfits and special or random occasions. And you can believe me; there have been some pretty bold matchings over time. Still, I haven’t felt ready to get a Cartier watch again. Until recently…

Image: Auctionet

Cartier crossing my path

I wasn’t researching Cartier when the picture above caught my attention. I had never seen a Cartier watch like that before, and I hadn’t seen a dial like that either. I was not sure what I was looking at. Were they blue, red, and gold metal stripes? Or were they velvet or leather? Simultaneously puzzled and intrigued, I opened the full listing only to introduce myself to the Must de Cartier Vermeil Trinity.

Image: Auctionet

Vermeil

Cartier hardcore fans probably know what “Vermeil” means, but I will repeat it for myself and other Cartier newbies. In short, this word refers is gold-plated sterling silver. If you want to impress your friends with a bit of detail, vermeil is a high-quality type of gold-plating. The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick, which makes it relatively durable. The base metal can’t be cheaper, such as brass or copper, but good ol’ sterling silver, which is an alloy consisting of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals.

Image courtesy of Werner Watches

Back to the Must de Cartier Vermeil Trinity dial

When you look at pictures available online and the rich palette of tones the stripes have, you will hardly believe there is no blue or red in them. The “Trinity” nickname refers to the three base alternating stripes in yellow, white, and rose gold. There are no blues or reds, just hard-to-believe simple variations of gold.

Image: Whizz Watch

Texture that lives

Besides the interesting colors, I like how the stripes trigger my imagination. Upon one glance, I see gold bricks, while upon the next, I see a perfectly ironed dress or newly refurbished leather seats in a classic car. There is some magic to the dial structure that brings it to life. Interestingly, there are Trinity dials on which the stripes take up the entire dial opening. But unless the striped base is integrated with a typical white circular or rectangular Cartier frame, it doesn’t work that well for me.

Image: Craft + Tailored

A tempting proposition…

I was seriously considering purchasing the very first round Vermeil Trinity I saw. I was aware of the 30mm diameter, but it did not scare me off. The only reason I was hesitant was that I had no clue where the value sits. As the Must de Cartier Vermeil Trinity models have quartz movements, you can probably find round ones within the €1,000–1,500 range. Add a few hundred euros extra for a Tank version, and that’s not bad for an unusual Cartier watch.

Image: Antique Watch Company

Last thoughts on the Cartier Vermeil Trinity

“Old.” That’s what has been stopping me from getting a Cartier. It makes me feel I have to be old to get one. Am I suddenly old enough? I am north of 40 but still quite south of 50. I still don’t know, but something has changed. The Must de Cartier Vermeil Trinity models made me feel I wanted to try one. For the record, I haven’t seen one in the flesh. All these emotions and impressions came from pictures. However, I believe that my offline impressions could be even stronger. I will keep my eyes peeled. You can too. There is one available here. Happy hunting.

Cover image courtesy of Werner Watches.