Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Perfect Watch


Janet of The Gardeners Cottage has shown us her perfect accessory – the perfect black flat. Generously, Janet offered the rest of us to share ours. She asked us 'What is your perfect accessory?'

When asked a question one must always go with their first instinct.

What you see above is the answer for me - the Cartier Tank Francais watch, steel and gold, small size.

I’ve always loved a good watch, and seem to have mostly veered towards a rectangle or square. I never went looking for a non-round watch, but when I bought the Cartier, realised as well as this one, my previous two watches (inexpensive ones) had square/rectangle faces. After coveting the Cartier Tank Americaine for most of my 20s, when it came down to it I chose the Tank Francais for my own 30th birthday present.

I’ve worn it for 10 years now, every single day, and it will hang on my wrist until the day I return to the earth. And it will be worth every cent. To me, a watch is not just useful, it can be a beautiful piece of jewellery too.

On the Cartier website they don’t call it a watch, it’s a timepiece. Of course.

Thanks Janet for a great idea. I look forward to reading others posts on their perfect accessory.

21 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    I love it--but you already know that. I love "time pieces" too. I wear a watch every day. Currently I am usually wearing my Seiko Le Grand Sport watch (I love the face and it tells the date) but I also have an Accutron tank watch (that looks a lot like a Cartier) and a vintage, delicate Bulova (you know, the kind ladies wore in the 50s)--I love them all. Even with minimizing I find I can't get rid of any of them. I posted my favorite accessories too--come over and visit. xxBliss

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  2. StephanieFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    So chic! The fact that you've worn it for ten years already speaks to it's classic style and quality. Well chosen!

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  3. Weekday RamblerFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I stopped wearing a "timepiece" when I retired. I gave all of my fashion watches to others who were still so concerned with time.

    Fiona: have had a busy several weeks. Haven't had time to blog or read blogs. My mom had a stroke and has been moved to a nursing home for rehab. Taking lots of my time!

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  4. the gardener's cottageFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    hi fiona darling,

    what a gorgeous, gorgeous timepiece. i think i'm going to start using that term instead of watch. thank you for sharing and i'm going to do a post on friday, internet willing.

    xo
    janet

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  5. hostess of the humble bungalowFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    I do not wear a timepiece/watch very often...mine is not as elegant as yours...yours is a jewel....elegant and sophisticated....just like you Fiona!

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  6. JuliaFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Fiona,

    Time piece sounds so nice. Ten years, that just speaks volumes doesn't it? It's a beautiful watch, classic.

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  7. JeanneFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    Hello Fiona,
    Lovely watch! This is the first time I've posted, though I've read your blog since the beginning.

    Thank you for sharing your lovely watch - I too have a Tank Francaise, though mine is silver with a pink mother of pearl face. I bought it last year after 10 years of wearing a squarish Timex (inspired by a Chanel watch). It was very dear but like you, I wear it everyday! I think the gold looks lovely on blondes like you - wasn't it the one Princess Diana had too?

    A bientot,
    Jeanne

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  8. KateFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I've had so much trouble in finding the perfect watch for myself, and ironically I'm in no hurry. I figure I'll find it in time (no pun intended). My problem is that I crave simplicity, I don't tend to like any bling at all in my watch, I want something simple and classic. Yours is gorgeous!

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Serious watch envy here. I've had a Cartier on my purchase list for three years now. My watch fund gets a little fatter each month in anticipation of purchasing a Tank. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  10. Barbara von EngerFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    I wear a Cartier gold watch which is no longer produced. A present from my parents upon graduation from Oxford university. I hardly ever wear any other form of jewellery so I value my watch even more so. Warmly hope you are well, dear;-)

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  11. NanneFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    It's a lovely watch, very classy! I love my stainless steel watch that looks like a man's watch - it's not very expensive, but good quality. My other perfect accessory would be my silver oblong hoop earrings that my husband gave me three years ago - I wear them almost every day!

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  12. Fiona FerrisFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    Bliss, your three timepieces sound gorgeous, and each quite different, so you couldn't really minimise any further, could you?

    Stephanie, and I've never gotten sick of it either. I often look at it just to drink in its good looks (I need to get a life).

    Dot, lovely to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Not wearing a timepiece at all sounds lovely. Even though I said I wear mine every day, I realised I actually do leave it off when I'm at home for the day.

    Janet, thanks for the idea. I can't wait to read others posts.

    Leslie, thank you! I like the sound of being elegant and sophisticated.

    Julia, I love anything classic it seems. Call me boring, I don't care.

    Jeanne, thank you so much for introducing yourself. Your Tank Francais sounds so feminine, and exclusive. I've never heard of one with a pink face. I think Princess Diana did have a fully gold one.

    Kalee, you've plenty of time. Simple and classic isn't going anywhere.

    Rebekah, you are the epitome of delayed gratification. I love how organised and planned out you are.

    Fashion, Art & Other Fancies, what a precious gift. I'm sure the gold looks stunning on you. I saw a glimpse of your watch in a recent post. Lovely.

    Nanne, your man-style watch and earrings sound very chic. I love the look of a masculine silver watch on a female wrist.

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  13. BODECI bodyFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Yes, your timepiece is beautiful. And practical! Nothing like a luxurious watch to polish our look. Visited Janet's post. Off to photograph my accessory!

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  14. Adrienne ShubinFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    My friend has the same time piece as yours and I love it. It's so classic and elegant. I have two watches - a fun fashion Guess watch with rhinestones in a gold metal that's big and chunky. And a Rolex Datejust in platinum/stainless steel that I will wear forever. My husband gave it to me one Valentine's Day about six years ago. My how times have changed!

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  15. Fiona FerrisFebruary 17, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    Debra, look forward to yours!

    Adrienne, your Rolex is a true classic. That's the funny thing about my Cartier - I probably wouldn't go out and buy one now, so I'm glad I have it.

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  16. Adrienne ShubinFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Fiona,

    I am amazed at the 'stuff' I have acquired over the years that were so expensive compared to the things I buy now. I still want the best quality, but I think much longer and harder about what I choose to purchase.
    In the past, it was just buy, buy, buy without thought or consideration. Luckily, I love my watch and, as I mentioned, I will always wear it. And I can say with confidence that it's the last expensive watch Bill or I will ever own, unless one falls from the sky and into my lap!

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  17. lennaFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Dear Fiona

    will you count a bottle of water as an accessory? ha. i think it's the one thing I have consistently by me 24/7.
    and it goes with anything!

    ~Lenna

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  18. CherieFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Very lovely and classic. I don't wear a timepiece as I have broken just about every one I've ever warn. I'm a lefty and finally switched to wearing them on my right wrist. But with my history, I'm afraid to wear anything too dear. I always wanted a gold/stainless Rolex but your Cartier is very tempting...

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    J'adore your watch, Fiona. You've chosen so wisely by getting a classic that you were in love with, and will love for the rest of your life. That's a great feeling.

    My dream Cartier "timepiece" is the Panther in stainless steel.

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  20. CathiFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I have an addiction to watches, but recently bought myself a timepiece from Swiss Army and I love it! I also wear silver bangles daily too! Happy Weekend to you! xxoo :)

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  21. Black is the New BlackMarch 1, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    love it! I bought my cartier tank francaise with my first bonus out of college, it is hands down my favorite piece as well ; )

    that sad. you seem to be much better than I am - I have a nasty habit of 'saving' my nice things and don't wear my watch nearly as often as I should : (

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!