"Catier is the watchmaker of shapes. The Maison has always distinguished itself through the creation of unique forms, beginning with the design and crafting of silhouettes that fit instantly recognisable shapes."
- Cyrile Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International
Playing with shapes, crossing the border between the real and the imaginary or stepping through a looking glass: Cartier approaches time from the perspective of a magician.
Illusion? Metamorphosis?
Cartier perceives the magic of time, measuring its beauty and revealing its mystery through its watchmaking repertoire. An infinite creative field that allows for all kinds of exploration, from the most formal to the most abstract, from the most technical to the most precious, from the most daring to the most fantastic. All of these creations are intertwined by an invisible magic, a connection between style and spirit.
Magic is the common thread running through this edition of Watches & Wonders 2024. It continuously infuses its transformative power into the Maison's great classics, which are constantly being reinvented, such as the Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph watch from the Cartier Privé collection. It sparks unexpected encounters between figuration and abstraction through a collection of jewellery watches that transform Cartier's fauna and unsettle perceptions.
It invites us to play with the mystery of time. Sometimes it's an optical phenomenon, like the Reflection de Cartier watch, which shifts the real into the imaginary. Sometimes it's an unexpected measure, like that of the Santos-Dumont Rewind watch, which takes time backwards thanks to a movement that turns the hands counter-clockwise, or the Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch, which allows you to read the time simultaneously in two different places.
CARTIER PRIVÉ COLLECTION
Cartier Privé unveils its eighth annual rendezvous, showcasing a contemporary interpretation of the iconic Tortue watch. This year's highlight is the introduction of the monopoussoir chronograph complication, adding to the allure of this esteemed timepiece.
Originally conceived in 1912, the Tortue watch epitomizes Cartier's vision of harmonizing curves and taut lines. The new hours/minutes Tortue stays true to its heritage while undergoing subtle refinements. Featuring elongated horns and a slimmer profile, the watch exudes elegance and lightness. Paying homage to its roots, it retains apple-shaped hands and a rail-track dial layout for enhanced readability.
Limited to 200 pieces for the hours/minutes versions and 50 pieces for the platinum-set version, each timepiece is a testament to Cartier's dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.
The monopoussoir chronograph, first introduced in 1928, receives a sophisticated reinterpretation, boasting blued-steel hands, a hollowed-out central seconds hand, and intricate triangular motifs on the dial. The movement, a mere 4.3 mm thick, showcases Cartier's prowess in creating ultra-thin chronographs.
Behind the scenes, the open back reveals the intricate gear train, showcasing the craftsmanship involved in its production and adjustment. The Manufacture 1928 MC movement exemplifies Cartier's expertise, featuring exquisite Côte de Genève decoration and meticulous finishing touches.
With its limited edition status and impeccable design, this Tortue watch embodies the timeless elegance and precision that define Cartier.
ANIMAL JEWELLERY WATCHES
Since 1914, Cartier's iconic menagerie has captivated with its charisma and wild spirit, embodying the essence of the brand's watchmaking. This year, a mesmerizing chimera, born from the fusion of a zebra and crocodile, serves as the muse for an entirely paved creation.
Graphic yet organic, each hand-lacquered stripe adorns the silhouette of this fantastical creature, embracing a diamond-shaped dial with elegance. The delicate engraving around each colored stone reflects Cartier's unparalleled expertise.
"These new creations enrich Cartier's array of animal timepieces, showcasing the beauty of nature in all its forms—figurative, abstract, realistic, or fanciful. Over decades, this theme has continuously evolved, exploring its aesthetic richness, evocative power, and symbolic significance," remarks Pierre Rainero, Director of Image, Style, and Heritage at Cartier.
REFLECTION DE CARTIER COLLECTION
Step into a realm where time dances with appearances, crossing the threshold of the mirror's edge.
Following the Clash [Un]limited and Coussin watches, the Reflection de Cartier watch continues the journey of enchantment, illusion, and allure. The collection's mission: to unveil the enigmatic essence of time through daring creations.
Born from Cartier's exploration of forms, this timepiece marries the expertise of Cartier's watchmakers and jewelers. At its core lies the open bracelet, boasting an unprecedentedly generous architecture blending intricate openwork and polished reflective gold, adorned with elongated lines and sharp edges. Tension mounts as a delicate dial encounters its own reflection, creating an illusion of time flowing in reverse. The gem-like beveled glass crowning the dial underscores the watch's dual identity, merging sophistication with precision.
Crafted in white gold, this watch delves into the interplay of materials through a fusion of pavé techniques. Snow setting and inverted setting interlace, offering both tactile allure and dazzling radiance.
SANTOS DE CARTIER AND SANTOS-DUMONT COLLECTIONS
Embark on a journey through the skies, where time bends and gravity fades—the audacious legacy of aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont takes flight once more in the new Santos collections, embodying the spirit, style, and magic of a fearless pioneer.
Remaining true to the aviator's originality and innovation, Cartier introduces two reimagined versions of this iconic timepiece, challenging our conventional perception of time.
First, the refined Santos-Dumont Rewind watch revolutionizes traditional time-telling methods, while the daring Santos de Cartier Dual watch enables you to monitor two time zones simultaneously—boldly transcending distances, much like Alberto Santos-Dumont himself.
With its mechanical movement and automatic winding, the Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch seamlessly integrates two time zones without compromising durability or reliability. Its sleek steel design, complemented by luminescent sword-shaped hands and a grey second time zone counter, exudes elegance and functionality.
The bracelet, available in steel or leather, offers ultimate versatility, thanks to Cartier's patented QuickSwitch system and tool-free SmartLink size adjustment—allowing for effortless customization.
Meanwhile, the Santos-Dumont Rewind watch redefines the course of time with its carnelian dial, showcasing a limited edition platinum masterpiece. Bold Roman numerals arranged in reverse tradition signify a departure from convention—a fitting tribute to Santos-Dumont's boundless imagination.
With its mechanical movement and reversed manual winding, calibre 320 MC, this timeless piece pays homage to the elegant original model from 1904, engraved with Santos-Dumont's signature in both directions—a nod to his unwavering spirit of innovation.
Limited to 200 numbered pieces, this Limited Edition Santos-Dumont Rewind watch epitomizes Cartier's commitment to pushing the boundaries of both technical excellence and aesthetic beauty.
