Cartier Love 18k White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch WE800331

Written by: Linda Gayle Parker

The new Cartier Love Quartz Diamonds White Gold Ladies Watch WE800331 is a classic design with a little extra. If you are looking for a beautiful ladies dress watch, with the sparkle of added diamonds, you should consider this timepiece.

The soft sheen of the black satin (toile) strap forms an elegant contrast with the white gold case, and 18 small diamonds on the bezel. This is a watch that will look sophisticated with eveningwear, and will not overwhelm your wrist with excess flashiness or weight. The white gold case is also good news for those of us who look better in silver-toned jewelry, or who simply prefer it to yellow gold.

The bezel comes complete with the Love Collection trademark, 6 small screws, modeled after the 1970s bracelet, which could only be opened with a tiny screwdriver. Of course, on the bezel of this watch, they serve no function other than decoration.

Personally, I do not care for the “love” symbolism of being locked up in a chastity belt to ensure faithfulness. That is the original inspiration for the Love Collection, and is supposed to make a statement about being in a “committed relationship.”

Whether you prefer to ignore or embrace the symbolism, this watch offers easy readability with its silver-white dial and black Roman numeral markers for each hour. The blue steel hour and minute hands also ensure clear visibility in all light.

Features:

View of the Tang Buckle and Case Back of the Ladies Love Watch

• Roman numerals mark each hour
• Round silver-white sunray dial
• 18 diamonds set on bezel
• Sword-shaped blue steel hour & minute hands
• Analog, quartz movement by the Swiss
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Water resistant to 30 meters or 100 feet
• Polished solid 18K white gold case
• Bezel of fixed stainless steel
• Black satin (toile) strap
• Case diameter 23.5mm or 7/8″
• Case thickness 6 mm
• 6″ adjustable strap
• Cartier logo at 12 o’clock position
• Tang buckle
• Battery operated

One of several variations of Cartier's Love Watch available.

Drawbacks to this watch are few. It is clearly a dress watch, and not intended for daily casual or general business wear. If you want a watch specifically for more dressy occasions, however, this could be a great choice. The case is also water resistant to 100 feet, but the strap is not as resilient, and should be treated as you would a leather watchband.

Variations on the WE800331 model are available from the Love Collection. If you like the design of this watch, along with the diamonds, but would prefer a different color, the case is also available in 18-karat yellow or pink gold.  There are also versions of this design with only 3 diamonds and 3 screws on the bezel, or others with 6 diamonds and no screws, such as the WE800231. (Seen at left.)

The retail price of this watch is  $12,300. It is not yet listed on Cartier.com, as of this writing, but can be purchased online from several different vendors at a considerable discount. Keep in mind, it is important to make certain that you are purchasing from a reputable dealer, to ensure authenticity as well as the warranty and other paperwork, which should accompany this timepiece.