Carven Watches

Carven Watches: Glamorous Watches for the Chic

The Carven brand is a prominent one in the French fashion industry. The brand carries the distinguished heritage of Marie-Louise Carven and offers various lines of products that boast stylish designs which are practical and comfortable. This inventive brand is spontaneous with its styles and, as a result, has a diverse portfolio that is nothing short of ingenious. Apart from their wide selection of fashion commodities, Carven also manufactures sleek and valuable timepieces. The Carven watch brand emerged after World War II from the camaraderie and aspirations of three French soldiers. Imbued with the brand's traditional values, Carven handles each of their watches with the utmost care and dignity. Their designs feature differing classy looks with modest prices - ensuring that anyone can have a Carven timepiece with their name on it. Whether you need a charming watch for a dressy occasion or a simple everyday timekeeper, Carven offers versatile models that never fail to impress.

Price List at A Glance

How Much are Carven Watches?

Carven watches can be a little difficult to come by. Though they are quite rare, there are still some avenues through which you can obtain your own Carven watch. Listed below are some of the brand’s unique models, along with their features and approximate price. 

How Much are Carven CV618 Watches?

The Carven CV618 is a rustic yet sumptuous wristwatch. As one of the brand’s more popular timepieces, the CV618 holds an ageless style that complements all sorts of get-ups. Minimalist and modest, the Carven CV618 watch is cohesive and elegant to the eye. 

Stainless steel makes up the quadrangle-shaped case of the CV618. Depending on the variant, the steel case can either be untinted silver, or dyed in colors like gold or rose-gold. The dials of the CV618 are typically bright white with sharply contrasting black Roman numeral hour indices. Among all the variants, the CV618-RBK/R.BK is the only one that features a black dial with white Roman numerals. All versions of the CV618 use mineral crystals to protect the face of the watch from scratches and impacts. Underneath the glass and the dial is the quartz movement of the CV618. Paired with a comfortable leather strap or a cool steel bracelet, the CV618 fetches an approximate price of $145 USD.

How Much are Carven CV636 Watches?

Four variants make up the CV636 series: the CV636-WH/BU, the CV636-RWH/BR, the CV636-GWH/OR, and the CV636-WH/BK. Each variant comes with a unique dial color of silver, gold, or rose-gold, and leather straps of different, eye-catchingly vibrant hues. Compared to the CV618, the CV636 watches hold a smaller and more rectangular structure. This gives it a fairly lightweight profile, making this a great watch to use as your everyday timepiece. These timekeepers also carry a classic look that can bring to the fore the wearer’s sophistication. 

At approximately $150 USD, the CV636 uses a stainless steel case paired with a cowhide strap that can come in loud blue, brown, orange, or black tones. It bears a clean white dial with hour indices represented by Roman numerals. On top of the watch face is a mineral crystal for protection. The CV636 utilizes a quartz movement to operate the inner machinations of the timepiece.

How Much are Carven CV633 Watches?

The Carven CV633 is a remarkable piece. While it bears some similarities with the CV618 and the CV636, the CV633 timepiece has its own merits. With its sleek and crisp design, the Carven timepiece is certainly a head-turner. 

Stainless steel makes up the casing for the CV633. A closer look at this timekeeper reveals that the lugs of the case protrude just slightly, making for a slim and elegant profile. Fitted on top of the watch is a mineral glass that shelters the light-colored dial and its Roman numeral hours from encountering external damages. Customers can choose between a classy steel mesh bracelet or a sportier colored cowhide strap to pair with the watch. Powered by a solidly reliable Japanese quartz movement, the CV633 retails for around $150 USD.

How Much are Carven CV611 Watches?

Viewing the numerous editions of this Carven assembly, it is apparent that the collection is highly diverse, while still maintaining the minimalistic grace that all Carven watches possess. Each model bears a smooth and stylish aesthetic that gives the watch a uniqueness of its own from top to bottom. The Carven CV611 is a timepiece that brings refinement to people’s wrists for a modest price. It is a wristwatch which possesses a design that makes it look more expensive and lavish than it actually is.

Retailed for approximately $170 USD, the CV611 stands out from the rest of the crowd by utilizing a round stainless steel case paired with a leather strap or a steel mesh bracelet. The dial has a simple and uncluttered look with 11 bars and an Arabic number “12” for easier timekeeping. For Carven to secure the minimalist dial, the timepiece has a layer of mineral crystal applied on top of the casing. The brand makes use of a quartz movement to power the inner functions of the wristwatch

How Much are Carven CV609 Watches?

With refined edges and precise beveling, the CV609 bears a classy structure that transcends generations. Although the watch remains a prudent piece, it carries a sense of finesse and glamorous style. Without a doubt, this is a chic timepiece for those seeking a timepiece to match their sharp attire.

The CV609 uses a stainless steel case that comes with a leather strap or a steel mesh bracelet. The dial holds a clean look throughout its surface, with only two indices and Arabic numerals at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock to represent each quarter-hour. Safeguarding the watch face is mineral glass securely fastened on top of the dial. Motorized by a quartz movement, the CV609 is worth an estimated $170 USD.

Milestones and Innovations

While some are already aware of Carven’s accomplishments and its contributions to the fashion industry, their milestones as a watch brand remain unknown to many. For us to understand what kind of watchmaker Carven is, let us take a look at some of the brand’s more notable works during its tenure.

Diamond Collection

One of their most stunning collections, this series features the use of luxurious, stunning diamonds in different models. The more popular models from the collection include dials ladened with diamond indices to represent the hours. Some versions also have diamond studs generously encrusted around the bezel. Each entry to the Diamond series possesses a water resistance of up to 30 meters or 100 feet.

Fusion 132 (Semi-Bangle Collection)

Three watches comprise the Carven Semi-Bangle selection; Fusion 132, Rhapsody 683, and Rhapsody II 663. Among the three in the series, the Fusion 132 is the most popular choice with the watch community. The Fusion 132 is an effortlessly chic wristwatch that bears a beguilingly minimalistic design. Surrounding the inside of the watch is a stainless steel case that comes with a matching stainless steel bracelet. With a dial protected by hardy, anti-corrosive steel and a sapphire crystal, this timepiece is waterproof up to depths of 30 meters.

Mezzo 665 (Classic Collection)

Carven’s Classic Collection offers a few exclusive pieces. Out of all the variants, the Mezzo 665 stands out as the fan favorite. The Mezzo 665 uses a case made of stainless steel and exquisite gold. Protected by a sapphire crystal, its dial has Roman numeral indices to depict the time. The classic watch is also resistant to water up to 3 ATMs, 30 meters.

The Chrono 812 

Amidst its various collections, Carven has also released a number of sports models. One of their most noteworthy sports watches is the Chrono 812. The Chrono 812 uses a larger round case made of stainless steel. Ladened all over the silver dial are numbers, indices, subdials, and white sword-like minute and hour hands. The model uses a sturdy, scratch-resistant sapphire glass to protect the dial and comes paired with either a steel bracelet or a rubber strap. It possesses a water resistance of 30 meters, which is enough to get the timepiece through splashes in the rain. Carven updated the 812 with the new Chrono 818 in 2002. The Carven Chrono 818 sports a more versatile look, with its round case and stylized Arabic numeral markers. It featured an ETA 251.272 caliber and an unusual bezel with a criss-crossing pattern inserted on top of the case.

Where to find Vintage Carven Watches

If the modern and mainline Carven models are already difficult to come by, finding a vintage Carven watch may be akin to looking for a four-leafed clover. While Carven’s fashion products take the spotlight and can be found on the shelves of numerous stores, there isn’t much to go on regarding the whereabouts of their timepieces. If you’re lucky, you might come across some online websites with a few sellers who have a stock of vintage Carven wristwatches. The offers can range from more recent editions to prime remnants from their innovative collections, such as the Diamond Hour and Mezzo watches. The prices for these watches are relatively affordable, given that these timepieces hold a vintage profile. Like a lost relic, you can certainly find a vintage Carven watch if you search hard enough, although it might take some effort.

History of Carven Watches

The Carven watch brand was created in 1945 by George Bo, Jean Prodon, and Maurice Pinault. Before becoming friends, the three first met each other as prisoners of war in a German camp. At the end of the 2nd World War, Maurice, Jean, and George decided to create an establishment that sold watches. Honoring their dear friend and famous dressmaker Marie-Louise Carven, who also opened her own Maison de Couture in the same year, the three Frenchmen came up with the Carven watch brand and named it after her. Years later, Carven has become a formidable entity in the French fashion industry. As a watchmaker, Carven continues to possess a reputable stature with several notable collections to its name. Carven’s headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland, home to many highly acclaimed expert watchmakers. Fifty years after the founding of the fashion brand, Madame Carven, the inspiration for the Carven brand, retired from her role as a fashion designer. At the age of 105, Madame passed away in the year 2015.

Famous People Who Wore Carven Watches

Korean Actors and Actresses

Several Korean shows and movies have featured certain cast members sporting a Carven watch. It is unclear whether or not Carven sponsors the product placements, but whatever the case may be, this form of entertainment is one of the few mediums through which people are able to lay their eyes on a Carven watch. Some of the models known to have made appearances include the CV636, the CV633, and the CV611. 

Carven Watches: Merging Viability with Comfort

Sticking true to Madame Carven’s ideals, the brand creates timepieces that bear practical designs and a comfortable fit. Not a lot of affordable wristwatches come with the one-of-a-kind looks of a Carven timepiece. Being able to find and own a watch by Carven is the equivalent of striking gold. Its rarity online and offline stands as a testament to Carven’s profile as a hidden treasure.