Cartier Retailed Baume et Mercier 18k Yellow Gold with Stock Numbers Ref 36493 from 1970s

Cartier Retailed This Baume & Mercier – Ref. 36493
A Rare 1970s 18K Yellow Gold Dress Watch

Elegant, discreet, and quietly exceptional, this Baume & Mercier dress watch retailed by Cartier is a fascinating example of 1970s watchmaking history. Produced by Baume & Mercier and sold through Cartier, this piece represents a time when Cartier would source high-quality Swiss watches to fulfill special client requests—resulting in truly unique, low-production watches like this one.

A Discreet Cartier Oddity – The Design

Housed in a compact 25mm solid 18K yellow gold case, this watch embodies understated elegance. The proportions are classic and refined, perfectly suited to formal wear, with the warm tone of yellow gold giving it timeless appeal.

The white lacquer dial is clean and beautifully balanced, featuring black Roman numerals and the coveted Cartier signature, confirming its retail origin. The simplicity of the dial allows the Cartier name to speak for itself—quiet luxury at its best.

On the caseback, the stock number is hand-engraved, a charming and highly collectible detail that further supports the idea of this being a special-order piece:

• Stock Number: 023617

• Reference: 36493

• Serial: 352568

Baume & Mercier BM775 – Mechanical Integrity

Powering the watch is the Baume & Mercier calibre BM775, a reliable manual-wind movement known for its slim profile and robustness. The movement has been recently serviced, winds smoothly, and runs as it should—ensuring this vintage piece is not just historically interesting, but also ready to be worn and enjoyed.

Accessories

The watch is paired with a brand new, handmade glossy lizard leather strap from Belgium, perfectly complementing the warmth of the gold case and reinforcing its dress-watch character.

Specifications

• Brand: Baume & Mercier

• Retailer: Cartier

• Year: 1970s

• Case: 25mm solid 18K yellow gold

• Dial: White lacquer with black Roman numerals and Cartier signature

• Movement: Baume & Mercier BM775, manual wind – recently serviced

• Reference: 36493

• Serial: 352568

• Stock Number: 023617 (hand-engraved on caseback)

• Strap: New handmade Belgian glossy lizard leather strap

Why This Watch?

This is not a standard production Cartier, and that’s exactly what makes it special. Likely commissioned as a special request and sourced by Cartier for a private client in the 1970s, this watch sits in a fascinating niche of Cartier history.

Unusual, discreet, and rarely seen, it offers collectors the chance to own a Cartier-signed, 18K yellow gold watch for nearly the price of a Cartier Tank Vermeil—while being significantly rarer, mechanically interesting, and made entirely in solid gold.

A true sleeper piece for the collector who values history, subtlety, and rarity over hype.