Fantasy Magic: Objects of Desire

Following the triumphant conclusion of the "Time and Miracles" haute horlogerie exhibition in Geneva, the illustrious showcase is set to embark on its next enchanting chapter in Shanghai. From the 28th of this month through September 1st, the Shanghai West Bund Art Center will host the latest edition of this prestigious watchmaking extravaganza.

Cartier is poised to once again weave its spellbinding watchmaking magic post-Geneva, continuously reinventing its captivating allure. This year’s exhibition promises a mesmerizing blend of tradition and innovation, featuring timepieces that are as mysterious as they are mesmerizing. Each creation not only marks the passage of time but also celebrates the artistry and ingenuity that define haute horlogerie.

 

Immerse yourself in a world where time transcends its ordinary bounds, revealing the playful and enigmatic charm of Cartier’s masterpieces. The exhibition will showcase an array of intricate designs and cutting-edge craftsmanship, offering visitors a glimpse into the ever-evolving narrative of luxury watchmaking.

 

Join us in Shanghai for an unforgettable journey through the mystical and fascinating realms of time, where Cartier continues to set the gold standard in haute horlogerie, celebrating the seamless dance between time’s fleeting moments and timeless beauty.

Text by Lawrence | Photo by Cartier

Santos de Cartier Dual Time

Cartier masterfully captures the magical allure of time, unveiling its beauty and unraveling its mysteries through exquisite watchmaking. The maison boldly explores the boundless territories of creativity with designs that are sometimes vivid and illustrative, other times abstract and striking; occasionally intricate and complex, at other moments precious and opulent; sometimes daring and flamboyant, yet often dreamy and multifaceted. This intangible, fantastical aura weaves through each masterpiece, embodying Cartier’s unparalleled style and spirit.

Conquering the skies, challenging the very notion of time, and defying gravity—pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont’s fearless spirit is faithfully embodied in Cartier’s latest creations within the Santos Collection. These timepieces continue the aerospace pioneer’s passion for freedom, inheriting his exceptional spirit, distinctive style, and extraordinary charm. Embracing Santos-Dumont’s innovative drive and unique taste, Cartier embarks on a new chapter of exploration by introducing two stunning additions to the classic Santos series, pushing the boundaries of our perception of time.

The elegant Santos-Dumont Rewind watch revolutionizes traditional timekeeping with its sophisticated design, while the bold and avant-garde Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch offers the innovative ability to display two time zones simultaneously, seamlessly blending functionality with contemporary flair.

The all-new Santos de Cartier Dual Time dual-time zone watch is powered by an automatic movement that ingeniously integrates a dual time zone mechanism. This allows the wearer to effortlessly keep track of both local and home time, all while maintaining Cartier’s renowned durability and reliability. Crafted from sleek stainless steel, the watch boasts streamlined lines and an ergonomic design, ensuring harmony between the case and bracelet.

Elegance radiates from every meticulous detail: rhodium-plated sword-shaped stainless steel hands enhanced with Super LumiNova® in a cool gray hue with green fluorescence, a seven-sided faceted crown, and an adjustable second time zone display. This masterpiece combines cutting-edge craftsmanship with timeless durability, embodying Cartier’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

Cartier’s latest offerings in the Santos Collection are not merely timepieces—they are works of art that celebrate the seamless dance between time’s fleeting moments and enduring beauty. Each watch serves as a testament to Cartier’s unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and the timeless elegance that defines the maison.

Step into a world where time transcends its ordinary bounds, and let Cartier’s enchanting creations guide you through a journey of sophistication and style.

The Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch features an automatic mechanical movement that seamlessly integrates a dual time zone mechanism, enabling the wearer to simultaneously read both the local time and their home time.

Exquisite craftsmanship meets unparalleled attention to detail in the Santos de Cartier Dual Time dual time zone watch. This masterpiece features luminescent rhodium-plated sword-shaped stainless steel hands, a striking seven-sided faceted crown, and an adjustable second time zone display. Both the stainless steel and leather straps are adorned with Cartier’s patented "Quick Switch" system, allowing for swift and effortless interchangeability, with the intricate mechanism elegantly concealed within the watch case.

Adding to its sophistication, the SmartLink metal strap adjustment system—also patented—enables wearers to effortlessly tailor the strap length without the need for tools. This seamless blend of innovative technology and timeless design ensures that the Santos de Cartier Dual Time not only captivates with its aesthetic allure but also offers unparalleled functionality. Embrace the perfect harmony of style and precision, where every detail is meticulously curated to elevate your wristwear experience.

Discover the epitome of refined luxury with the Santos de Cartier Dual Time—a testament to Cartier’s enduring legacy of elegance and ingenuity.

The standout feature of the latest watch is its dual time zone function, showcasing a sleek all-steel gray dial that can display two time zones simultaneously.

Defying convention and embracing bold innovation, the Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch impeccably maintains the brand’s signature refined and elegant aesthetic. Its design harmoniously mirrors the symmetrical lines of Parisian geometric style, while simultaneously exploring sleek silhouettes and exquisitely intricate details. The dial boasts deep, serene tones that subtly highlight the watch’s unique personality and the exceptional craftsmanship it embodies. This masterpiece is a testament to Cartier’s unwavering commitment to sophistication and artistry, seamlessly blending timeless elegance with contemporary flair.

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Santos Dumont Rewind

Cartier has always approached watchmaking with unwavering precision, masterfully conquering both technical and aesthetic challenges. The latest creation, the limited edition Santos-Dumont Rewind, is a testament to this relentless pursuit of excellence, embodying the whimsical genius of the legendary aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.

This exclusive platinum timepiece features a captivating red chalcedony dial, where delicate and nuanced hues accentuate the watch’s distinctive personality. The vibrant red emanates a bold and unmissable aura, perfectly mirroring the passionate spirit of a sun-soaked summer. Upon closer inspection, the dial reveals Roman numerals arranged in a striking reverse order, a daring twist that symbolizes the collection’s avant-garde ethos.

But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The Santos-Dumont Rewind is powered by a meticulously crafted 230MC manual winding mechanical movement, engineered to operate in reverse. This groundbreaking mechanism not only defies conventional timekeeping but also enhances the watch’s extraordinary collectible value, making each piece a unique masterpiece.

Limited to just 200 pieces, each Santos-Dumont Rewind watch is individually numbered and adorned with an intricately engraved "Santos-Dumont" emblem on the case back, reflecting both sides in a harmonious duality. The bold red finish is akin to the most dazzling fireworks, igniting the wearer’s wrist with an irresistible blaze that commands attention.

Embodying Cartier’s signature blend of tradition and innovation, the Santos-Dumont Rewind is more than a timepiece—it’s a bold statement of artistry and heritage. This limited edition marvel invites connoisseurs to embrace a piece of history, where every glance at the dial is a reminder of time’s enchanting dance with creativity.

Geometric lines, pure design, and technical innovation—these Santos timepieces seamlessly blend classicalism with pioneering spirit.

Cartier showcases its ingenuity by upending tradition, with the Roman numerals from one to twelve arranged in a counterclockwise fashion on the dial, adding a playful twist.

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Santos Dumont

In addition to the commanding presence of the Santos-Dumont Rewind watch, Cartier has unveiled three exclusive surprises with the Santos Dumont Lacquered timepieces for the end of summer. The collection is built around a striking color palette, featuring a combination of olive green and platinum, peacock blue and rose gold, and grey-brown with yellow gold. Each watch is meticulously crafted with a thin layer of true lacquer, less than one-thousandth of a millimeter thick, hand-polished to create a delicate, semi-transparent finish. The result is an unparalleled gloss, depth, and visual effect that brings an unprecedented burst of color to your late-summer wardrobe.

The Santos Dumont Lacquered limited-edition watch showcases an enduring square shape with metallic edging, paired with wide, rounded Arabic numerals that complement the collection’s signature square, rounded-corner dial. The sleek, bold design makes a lasting impression, and the color combinations are an absolute must-have! On the technical side, the watch features the 430 MC manual-winding mechanical movement. This perfect blend of fine craftsmanship and eye-catching design makes it one of the most memorable timepieces of the season.

The Santos Dumont collection introduces three limited-edition new pieces. These three vibrantly colored timepieces pay tribute to the elegant style inherited from Alberto Santos-Dumont.

The three vibrant timepieces in the Santos Dumont collection pay a refined tribute to the elegant legacy of Alberto Santos-Dumont. The lacquered dial radiates a captivating sheen, adding a pop of color to the bezel and case. With its delicate, translucent lacquer finish, the dial gains a remarkable depth, luminosity, and three-dimensional allure. Each new piece is adorned with metal edging that emphasizes the timeless square shape, highlighted by the signature screws that adorn the watch. The wide, rounded Arabic numerals perfectly complement the collection’s iconic square, rounded-corner dial. Cartier has once again brought its unparalleled craftsmanship to the forefront, delivering an aesthetic design that echoes the brand’s legacy of excellence in horology.

The three new Santos Dumont pieces are adorned with metal edging, highlighting the timeless square shape accentuated by the watch's screw decorations.

In the scorching heat of the season, it's time to shine bright and reach for the sky! The 2024 Santos-Dumont collection brings multiple surprises, combining fashionable color palettes with brand-new functions. From vibrant hues to unparalleled craftsmanship, these timepieces perfectly accentuate every outfit, creating an irresistibly glamorous and noble allure. For those looking to craft an unforgettable, eye-catching personal style, this collection is the ultimate statement.

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Privé Tortue

The Cartier Privé collection is truly an annual event that watch enthusiasts cannot afford to miss. This year, it unveils its eighth masterpiece, offering a modern reinterpretation of one of Cartier's most iconic timepieces—the Tortue watch, originally born in 1912. As one of Cartier's defining creations in the world of shaped watches, the Tortue continues the legacy established by classics such as the Crash, Tank Cintrée, and Tonneau. With this new release, the Tortue watch marks a fresh chapter in the Cartier Privé collection, embodying Cartier's unique watchmaking philosophy—where technical precision meets aesthetic design.

In the Privé Tortue, the intricate movement seamlessly blends exceptional craftsmanship with artistic mastery, with every detail refined to captivate the eye. The gentle curves of the Geneva stripes (Côtes de Genève) highlight the distinctive shape of the watch bridges, showcasing the unique design elements with exquisite elegance.

The new Privé Tortue Timepiece is a captivating addition to the collection, available in both platinum and gold versions. For the first time, the Privé series also introduces a platinum model with a stunning array of round brilliant-cut diamonds. The diamond-set version boasts a silver pearlescent dial, while the winding crown is adorned with a single round brilliant-cut diamond, accentuating the watch’s opulent, jewel-like allure. This model is embellished with 25 diamonds in total. Each piece is powered by the Cartier 430 MC movement, one of the brand’s thinnest hand-wound mechanical movements, harmoniously matched with the proportions of the Tortue case. The gold and platinum versions are limited to 200 pieces, while the diamond-set platinum edition is even more exclusive, with only 50 pieces available.

To ensure the dial is clear and easy to read, with the precise timing function immediately apparent, Cartier has placed the minute track on the outer circle of the Roman numeral hour markers. The dial features only two chronograph sub-dials, with an overall layout that is simple and pure.

The new collector’s piece, the Cartier Privé Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph, introduces the single-button chronograph function for the first time, powered by the 1928 MC caliber, expertly crafted by the Cartier workshop. The design features iconic details like the apple-shaped blue steel hands, the skeletonized counterweighted seconds hand, and the triangular motifs at each corner of the dial — all of which continue to be hallmarks in Cartier’s timepieces today. With this watch, Cartier masterfully blends craftsmanship with an unparalleled aesthetic style. Limited to just 200 pieces, both models are individually numbered. By simply pressing the single button, seamlessly integrated with the crown, the watch activates the start, stop, and reset functions. The movement, with a thickness of just 4.3 millimeters, is one of the thinnest movements ever created by Cartier's workshops. Flip the watch over, and the intricate mechanics and complex craftsmanship are on full display, as the gears perform their delicate, precise dance beneath the skeletonized caseback.

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Refection de Cartier

Following the success of the Clash[Un]limited and Coussin timepieces, the Reflection de Cartier watch continues to weave a mesmerizing, fantastical narrative. Cartier remains steadfast in its singular mission: to express the mystique of time through bold, boundary-pushing creations. This timepiece seamlessly blends Cartier’s mastery of watchmaking with its expertise in jewelry craftsmanship, resulting in a strikingly refined aesthetic. The design takes inspiration from an open cuff bracelet, constructing a voluminous and novel structure that combines intricate skeletonization with mirror-polished gold, fluid lines, and sharply defined angles, exuding both elegance and audacity in equal measure.

The Reflection de Cartier watch pays tribute to Louis Cartier’s iconic peacock motif, using a stunning combination of green chalcedony, obsidian, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, and iridescent blue-green lacquer with gold filigree inlay. This intricate design forms a classic blue-green color palette, evoking the timeless beauty and elegance of Cartier’s heritage.

The Reflection de Cartier watch dial, treated with a gem-like bevel, radiates both refined elegance and precise delicacy, embodying a dual personality that captivates with every glance. This cross-genre masterpiece is available in several variations, including yellow and rose gold models, a white gold version set with diamonds, and two white gold models paved with colorful gemstones. The interplay of emptiness and substance, sharp angles and soft contours, creates a harmonious resonance, showcasing its dual allure. The white gold watch, with its diverse gem combinations, explores the exquisite collision of materials. Snowflake-style setting and the inverted craftsmanship work together to create a tactile masterpiece, allowing the piece to shine with dazzling brilliance. Jeanne Toussaint's fondness for the sensually captivating yet boldly daring inverted setting technique is beautifully reflected in this collection.

Cartier boldly transcends the boundaries of horological craftsmanship, seamlessly blending the realms of high jewelry and watchmaking. A symphony of vibrant gemstones comes together in harmonious, eye-catching combinations, sparking a fresh sensory experience. The allure of Cartier’s artistry lies in its ability to merge colorful brilliance, dazzling light, and intricate sensory textures, all in the pursuit of unlocking the mysteries of time.

This philosophy inspires Cartier's creation of two Reflection de Cartier timepieces. The first pays homage to Louis Cartier's iconic peacock motif, incorporating green chalcedony, obsidian, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, and a radiant blue-green lacquered gold edging that captures the classic blue-green palette. The second watch presents a stunning array of opal, amethyst, manganese garnet, and tiger's eye inlays, showcasing a completely new and bold color combination. The rich textures and delicate tactile sensations are captivating. The bold inverted setting technique, distinct pavé gemstones, smooth lacquer elements, and openwork design create a striking contrast, weaving a captivating rhythm that draws the eye and invites the touch, making it a piece that lingers in the gaze and delights in every caress.

「Reflection de Cartier watch transcends the potential boundaries between jewelry and timekeeping, reinterpreting the very shape of time. Its structure unfolds like a fractured link in a chain, where delicate fractures and mirror-like surfaces effortlessly evoke a sense of sensory disorientation. Time flows freely within the mirror, unfolding in an entirely modern perspective that presents the art of watchmaking through an innovative lens.」

— Marie-Laure Cérède, Creative Director of Cartier Jewelry and Watches

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The exquisite dial and mirror of the Reflection de Cartier watch face each other, as if time flows backward in the mirror, emanating endless tension.

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Animal Jewellery

Since the first appearance of the panther fur on a Cartier watch in 1914, the captivating, wild charm of the animal motif has become a hallmark design for the brand, securing a prominent place in the world of horology. Since then, Cartier's animal kingdom has masterfully interpreted the extraordinary allure of watchmaking, blending realism and abstraction to create a wonderful encounter: a series of animal-inspired jewelry timepieces that, with their exquisite craftsmanship, enchant the senses with playful magic.

The crocodile is transformed into a vivid, three-dimensional masterpiece, as if silently observing the passage of time.

This year, the zebra and crocodile meet in a fantastical dreamscape, their skins transformed into a full-pave diamond animal-shaped timepiece that is both fluid and natural, yet brimming with geometric beauty. The hand-painted lacquer stripes on each watch are carefully crafted, adding a unique touch to the design. The crocodile winds gracefully around the diamond-shaped dial, adopting a poised, yet fierce, stance as if ready to strike. Each colored gemstone is surrounded by intricate carvings, showcasing Cartier's unparalleled craftsmanship.

The crocodile is brought to life as a vivid three-dimensional work of art, silently observing the passage of time. The realism of the design is awe-inspiring, as Cartier masterfully executes every flowing curve, the tension in every scale, and the emerald eyes that seem to gleam with life. The case and dial are adorned with delicate, multi-layered enamel hues, which, when paired with the gradient shades of sapphires and diamonds, accentuate the crocodile's contours, making them even more captivating. This technique is one of the specialties of Cartier's workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

In these two new sculptural masterpieces, the "animal protagonists" are ready to take center stage. The "crocodile" and the "tiger" present their commanding profiles, their powerful jaws gripping the dazzling sunbeam-embellished dial, as if searching for their reflection in the river of time. The watch bracelet is exquisitely supple, with a series of contrasting colored gemstones encircling the wrist, breathing life into the animal hides and creating a mesmerizing visual rhythm. This captivating design exudes a fierce declaration of untamed individuality, celebrating nature’s wild beauty with every glance.