Cartier launches new Middle East-inspired fragrance in Les Heures Voyageuses high fragrance collection

Cartier’s Les Heures Voyageuses collection brings together emotive notes for the senses. Mathilde Laurent, Cartier’s much-esteemed in-house perfumer, has just created a brand new scent to join the French Maison’s Les Heures Voyageuses high perfumery collection. And it’s inspired by the Middle East, no less.

Cartier Les Heures Voyageuses Oud & Menthe ‘prolongs the enchantment with a daring, devastating combination of oud wood and mint’, according to a release. Oud & Menthe celebrates the allure and rarity of the woody ingredient, the Oud & Menthe Eau de Parfum is invigorated with mint, combining and contrasting two emblematic scents from the Middle East. By combining the seemingly opposite ingredients, the fragrance ‘softens the raw sensations of the mint and the oud, a sugary and suave infusion with a breath of plant-like freshness from the mint’.

Top notes: Mint
Base: Oud wood

Cartier Les Heures Voyageuses Oud & Menthe is available as 75ml Eau de Parfum. The captivating scent is now available Cartier boutiques across the Middle East and at Harrods. In the lead-up to Ramadan, this could well be the perfect gift for your loved one (or yourself?).

 

 

 

Cartier Santos Dumont 1575 ‘Platinum’

 

French Maison Cartier had humble beginnings when it was established in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier in Paris, France. Louis-François had taken over the business from his master, the jeweler Adolphe Picard, who assisted in moving the premises to a more prime location which was to serve Cartier well in the coming years.

Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business and expanded the brand by opening shops in New York and London. King Edward VII of the United Kingdom granted the French Maison a prestigious royal warrant in 1904, calling the brand ‘The jeweler of kings and the king of jewellers’. Such was the renown of Cartier, that royal warrants soon rolled in from all over the world (among which, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, Siam, Spain, Portugal, and Russia).

Louis Cartier, grandson of the founder, revolutionised timepieces when he introduced the Santos watch in 1904. © Ministère de la Culture – Médiathèque du Patrimoine, Dist. RMN / Atelier de Nadar

While Cartier is known primarily for its jewellery, it also has a storied history in watchmaking. Cartier’s first foray in watchmaking came in 1888, offering exclusively ladies models. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave his friend and Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont a wrist watch to wear during his flights. Until then, wrist watches were worn exclusively by women and men opted for the traditional pocket watch. The ‘Santos-Dumont’ was not only the first wristwatch geared towards men but also the first pilot’s watch!

According to Maison Cartier, it is the portrait of a modern man and the product of experimentation by two visionaries and friends, Louis Cartier and Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Of course, we’re talking about the Cartier Santos. The first purpose-designed, modern wrist watch that was created after pioneer of aviation Alberto Santos-Dumont complained about his difficulty checking the time on his pocket watch while flying.

This super slim piece was made by Cartier back in the year 1990 after the original model, carries reference 1575 and has this time a platinum case with a size of 29 x 29 millimeter, with rivet design, sapphire-set crown, to a black alligator leather strap

This Santos’ dial design is exactly the one we are familiar with as we’re talking about Cartier, Roman numeral markers and blue hands. On the right side of the case we’ll we’ll find the exquisite blue sapphire crown that definitely completes this iconic Cartier masterpiece.

This manual timeless classic is available at Amsterdam Vintage Watches.

 

 

 

 

A new year, a new watch, Cartier Santos de Cartier Blue Dial

 

In 2018, exactly 40 years after the introduction of the Les Must de Cartier Santos, the French jeweller gave the Santos a major facelift. Substantial improvements were made to the design and functionality, while still respecting the codes of the iconic design.

If you’ve been a fan of Cartier’s Santos timepiece, you would have known that the iconic watch has undergone coloured dial variations (apart from a predominantly white) over the years. From a grey version found in the limited-run of the Santos Galbee and Santos 100 XL Kings Road to a black dial on the Santos 100 Carbon and Santos 100 ADLC released back in 2009 and 2016 respectively, the dial has stayed relatively neutral otherwise.

Until now. Introducing the Santos de Cartier watch (which made its debut at SIHH 2018), this time coming in a gorgeous blue gradient dial that’s now available at Cartier boutiques. The Santos de Cartier watch was lauded for its updated features like the QuickSwitch interchangeability system and SmartLink resizing mechanism for the steel bracelet, and the same can be found in this all-new version that’s available in a single size, the Large, which measures 39.8mm by 47.5mm and stands 9.08mm tall. And being the large model, it has the date at six o’clock, with the date disc smartly done in black to match the dial; the medium model lacks a date display.

What’s different, however, is the blue gradient dial in place of the classic white, and with it sees an update in the watch face’s Roman numerals (this version comes in stainless steel), giving it that extra pop of shine and added appeal.

As with all Santos de Cartier pieces, this model is also equipped with a steel bracelet (armed with the SmartLink adjustment system), along with a navy blue calf leather strap (which comes with a steel double adjustable folding buckle) that’s inspired by the deep blue skies Alberto Santos-Dumont was so passionate about conquering.

Inside is the self-winding cal. 1847 MC, which is Cartier’s entry-level, in-house movement. It runs at 4Hz and has a 48-hour power reserve.

The Cartier Santos with a blue dial (ref. WSSA0013) is priced exactly the same as the version with a silver dial: US$6850 or S$9450. Know that the Santos de Cartier Blue Dial is available in limited quantities at Cartier’s boutiques, and will arrive at retailers later in the year. New year. New watch. Why not.

Come into the beautiful world of Maison Cartier.

 

 

 

 

Cartier brings back its barrel-shaped Tonneau timepieces

Tonneau – the French word for Barrel – proved to be a very popular case shape for Cartier that became prominent during the Art-Déco era. The exceptional form of the watch perfectly captured the spirit of the times and evidently corresponded to the geometric and lavish preferences of the time. Today, almost a century following the initial presentation of the watch, the Tonneau shape is still a classic form in watchmaking.

The first Tonneau timepiece was presented by Cartier in 1906 – just a short two years after the Santos was introduced. The Tonneau was the very first Cartier wristwatch for men, but the luxury French Maison soon began to manufacture this iconic shaped timepiece for women as well. Whether it is a men’s watch or a ladies’ watch, the exclusive Tonneau lends a touch of class to any wrist.

Distinct case shapes and Cartier have gone hand-in-hand since the iconic French brand started its work in watchmaking. For 2019, the Grande Maison returns to the historic tonneau in four executions.

Over time, Cartier presented variations of the Tonneau model. The basic barrel shape of the watch remained consistent among the design elements of different Tonneau models, as the watches can often appear quite different.

Today, the original Tonneau models belong to Cartier’s rare vintage watches. They also comprise a very important chapter in Cartier history. The world jeweller can look back on great accomplishments including opening boutiques overseas, introducing the first men’s wristwatches, and acquiring prestigious customers on a global scale. But among all the accomplishments of the luxurious watchmakers, the world jeweller can proudly look back to the successful period in history in which the classic and exquisite Tonneau was presented to the world.

Cartier Privé Tonneau Collection

The pre-SIHH press releases have started to trickle in, signaling the start of a new year in the watch world and while some brands may choose to tease more uncomplicated pieces, saving prized ones for the fair, Cartier went straight to the main course – unveiling a new case shape to add to the collection.

At the upcoming SIHH watch salon in Geneva, the French master jeweler and watch design pioneer revives another early 20th-century shaped model that went on to become hugely influential, its 1906 Tonneau, in the Cartier Privé line.

It’s been a grand 112 years since Cartier launched the Tonneau watch back in 1906 and it seems the time is ripe to bring the shape back. Tonneau, a French term for barrel, was used to describe the striking shape that stood out amongst the simple, round cases of the time. Neither a rectangle nor an oval, the tonneau is an amalgamation of both rather, with the case curving ever so slightly. When it was presented, Cartier coated the watch in platinum, for emphasis on its ‘avant-garde aesthetics’.

Cartier Privé Tonneau in Platinum

Celebrating that legacy this year, Cartier will be showing two time-only versions, one limited to 100 pieces in platinum paying homage to the first Tonneau, and another in rose gold.

The winding crown is topped off with a cabochon in classic Cartier style. The dial – Champagne-colored on the rose-gold watch, silvered on the platinum – features polished, rhodium-plated applied Roman numerals and a vintage-style railtrack minutes scale.

While the watches may be steeped in early 20th-century aesthetics, rest assured that Cartier has updated the pieces to be ready for the 22nd century. Besides the Roman numerals, a minute track further towards the middle of the dial, and a cabochon on the winding crown – the quintessential Cartier look – the pair of watches see the new handwound Caliber 1917 MC powering them, with a 38 hour power reserve.

Cartier Privé Tonneau in Rose Gold

If shapes were Cartier’s forte in casemaking, then skeletonisation was where Cartier made its mark in the art of movement-production. The Maison’s ability in paring movements down to its bare minimum has always been a skill it’s cherished and this year, the Tonneau is getting the skeleton treatment.

In a different sizing, Cartier shows both form and function on the new Tonneau XL Dual Time, taking cues from a vintage Cartier Tonneau. While the older model that the watch is based on used two small and separate calibres to tell the time between the two zones, the modern day iteration sees a singular movement, the 9919 MC calibre.

The case has wrist-hugging curves and the iconic cabochon-set crown.

Running the entire geartrain in a single line so as to forgo a messier movement architecture and retain the elongated form, the watch is reminiscent of other linear movements such as Corum’s Bridge calibres. With a case as complex to build as the Tonneau’s. given that there’s a slight curvature to fit the wrist better, the movement was modified to follow the same dimensions.

For both the platinum and pink gold versions, the Tonneau XL Dual Time Skeleton is just one of the many illustrious examples of Cartier’s Fine Watchmaking Department’s expertise over the years. It’s may be a simple question – what can be achieved aesthetically by pushing watchmaking – but Cartier’s answer is anything but.

The movement in the Cartier Privé Tonneau Skeleton Dual Time Zone has a vertically aligned gear train.

Two skeletonised dual time watches are being introduced in larger 37.8mm x 24mm cases housing the hand wound calibre 9919 MC movement. Both platinum and pink gold versions are limited to 100 pieces, while an additional 20 numbered pieces will be available in baguette-cut diamond-set platinum.

This calibre 9919 MC movement represents a technical achievement in several respects, with its linear-oriented gear train, with wheels aligned between 5 and 12 o’clock, designed to maintain the integrity of the case shape; the curved contours of the movement itself; and the angled cutting on the gear train’s barrel and escapement wheel.

Fully wound, Caliber 9919 MC (the initials are for ‘Manufacture Cartier’) amasses a power reserve of 60 hours.

The Cartier Privé Tonneau Skeleton Dual Time Zone in rose gold.

Prices for the new Cartier Privé Tonneau collection will be announced at SIHH 2019. Come into the wonderful world of Cartier.

 

 

 

 

Cartier Ion Orchard reopens its doors with a special exhibition titled Cartier, Icon of Style

By now you must have already caught sight of the gorgeous Cartier ferris wheel parked outside Ion Orchard shopping mall – or seen it plastered all over Instagram. This gigantic structure is just the first of many things happening at this Cartier boutique, which is set to reopen its doors officially on 24^th November. And did you know that this three-story boutique is the largest Cartier store in all of Southeast Asia?

Spanning a total of 688 square metres, the store’s remodelling was done by the famed Parisian artist, designer, scenographer, painter and photographer Bruno Moinard, who made sure to marry the French Art de Vivre (art of living, the French way) with multiple references to Singaporean culture as a Garden City – embracing the beauty, richness and diversity of it all.

Artist’s impression of Le Salon Cartier on the third level of Cartier ION Orchard

Inspired by the Singapore’s tropical climate, the external 20-metre-long glass façade is patterned with palm trees and raindrops to elicit a sense of privacy and exclusiveness. Another key feature is a custom-made sculpture of art – in the stairwell between the first and second floors. The Cartier panther – carved in bas-relief – nestles amongst the tropical environment on a plaster panel, referencing to Singapore’s very own flora and fauna.

On the third and highest floor, the Le Salon Cartier has been enriched with Peranakan artefacts exuding the splendour of this beautiful local Singaporean culture.

Shirin ‘Nina Dyer’ Aga Khan Panther Bangle

But more exciting news awaits. Cartier Singapore has – as part of the reopening celebrations – specially curated an exhibition of selected historic and extraordinary pieces brought in from the Cartier archives in Paris. The exhibition titled ‘Cartier, Icon of Style’ has been specially curated – showcasing selected beautiful historic and extraordinary jewellery pieces.

More than a Cartier symbol. A timeless emblem first tamed by Louis Cartier and his muse, Jeanne Toussaint, the totemic panther carries on her reign.

Titled Cartier, Icon of Style, the exhibition highlights, among other things, the origins of the Maison’s love affair with the panther motif. The French Maison was the first jeweller to adopt the panther. The elegant feline was used for the firts time on a wristwatch in 1914 with a setting of onyx recreating the animal’s fur.

Barbara Hutton’s Tiger Clip

When Jeanne Toussaint was appointed as creative director in 1933, the panter became even more as an emblematic motif for the Maison. Toussaint worked closely alongside founder Louis Cartier and was nicknamed ‘La Panthère’, presumably due to her freedom, strength of character and the love pather in her lifestyle. One of her most outstanding inputs lies in the search on volume and attidudes of the animal. For Jeanne Toussaint, the panther – now an iconic motif – is clearly the emblem of timeless femininity unfettered by convention.

Marked by wild and beautiful femininity, the fearless and audacious panther later seduced countless personalities; royalty, celebrities and femme fatales, who would continue the legend through new savoir-faire and unexplored attitudes in precious materials.

Both, Louis Cartier and Jeanne Toussaint, also had a mutual interest in, not to say a fascination with, other cultures. This has helped shape not just the aesthetic of one or other object, but the entire Cartier style. A visual language, wich has extended to every creation and whose ‘vocabulary’ has been constantly expanding.

The Duchess of Windsor’s Panther Brooch

The ‘Cartier, Icon of Style’ exhibition highlights the orgins of the panther and its rich connections with some of the most well-known figures, such as the Duchess of Windsor, Shirin – Nina Dyer – Aga Khan and Barbara Hutton, just to name a few.

Open to the public, the exhibition will run from November 24 to December 6. Monday to Friday: 12pm to 9.00pm, Saturday to Sunday: 10.30am to 9.00pm. Keen individuals are encouraged to indicate registration interest on Cartier ‘Icon of Style’  as viewing slots are limited.

Come into the world of Cartier.

 

 

 

 

 

Schaap en Citroen opens a Vintage Watches boutique

Since 1888, Dutch jeweler Schaap en Citroen has been a popular address for prestigious watches and jewellery, from brands such as Cartier, Chopard, Jaeger LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex, to name just a few.

Now Schaap en Citroen – with branches in Amsterdam – is expanding its number of stores with a Vintage Watches boutique in the Amsterdam 5-star Conservatorium hotel. A brand new concept for the jeweler’s house: second-hand watches are available in the boutique. Schaap en Citroen offers a realistic and competitive price for the timepiece worn. Visitors can also exchange their worn watch for a new product, for example.

Schaap en Citroen Jewelers offers a wide range of pre-owned watches from the most exclusive brands including Blancpain, Breguet, Jaeger LeCoultre, Patek Philippe, Vacharon Constantin, Cartier, Chopard, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Omega, and Hublot. An exclusive number of this unique collection can be viewed in the new boutique in the Conservatorium Hotel. The trade-in procedure for second-hand watches can also be arranged online via the website.

Even if you are not looking for a new watch, a visit to the boutique is worthwhile. Interior designer Rob Feenstra has provided the store with a stylish interior with furniture from Fendi Casa and Bentley Home.

Vintage Watch boutique can be found in the Van Baerle Shopping Gallery at the Conservatorium hotel, which is open maardag: 13: 00 to 17: 45. Tuesday-Saturday: 11: 00 – 20: 00, and Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00 o’clock. Phone number: 020 – 2384792.

Come in the beautiful and timeless world of Schaap en Citroen.

Cartier makes heatwave more bearable

It will not get cooler during a heat wave, but it is certainly a lot more bearable when you read the temperature of this thermometer.

This unique thermometer was made around 1915 by Maison Cartier. The rose quartz tablet with black enamelled bowl and rose-cut diamond detail, has a ruby cabochon and a diamond flower head on every corner. The golden and white enamel pieces rest on a rectangular rose quartz base and have a total height of 18.0 cm, and is signed by Cartier N.Y

This unique and expensive thermometer was estimated at GBP 18,000 – 20,000. It eventually sold for £ 22,500 on June 13, 2017 at Christie’s London.

 

 

 

 

The story of S.T Dupont

 

Photographer to Napoleon III and an innovator with a keen eye for beauty, the 25 year-old Simon Tissot-Dupont had a vision of creating exceptional personalised travel trunks for Parisian high society.

Born in Savoy, Simon Tissot-Dupont founded a carriage company which was destroyed in a fire in 1872. The same year, he bought a workshop wich made leather briefcases for diplomats and businessmen. Later in 1884, Dupont became the supplier to one of the world’s leading retailersof the time and one of world’s the largest shops – Les Grands Magasins du Louvre – while maintaining his private clientele. The personalised travel trunks with bespoke detaling and personalised initials soon became an essential accessory for the European elite. Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie were amongst his first customers. The Maison’s client book included royalty, world leaders, screen legends and style icons living up to Lucien’s Duponts moto: ‘Make it more beautiful. Make it expensive. Make it innovative’.

Dupont handed over his company in 1919 to his sons, André and Lucien, who, trading under the name of Les Fils de S.T. Dupont (the Sons of S.T. Dupont), relaunched the activity. In 1921 the two Tissot-Dupont brothers bought their own Hôtel Particulier at 8bis, rue Dieu in Paris to cater for an ever growing demand for S.T. Dupont luxury high-quality trunks, travel cases, and accessories. Craftsmen were employed and patents were taken out to protect industrial secrets. 250 workers and 17 separate traders were involved in the manufacture, including goldsmiths, woodworkers, engravers, leather craftsmen, lacquer workers, and locksmiths.

A passion for producing the finest in luxury products. A design atelier where ideas and innovation are brought to life and where quality rings true.

S.T. Dupont transferred its workshops from rue Dieu in Paris back to the family’s hometown of Faverges in Savoy in 1924. Five years later, Lucien Tissot-Dupont was invited to New York by famous Parisian jeweller Louis Cartier to present his travel cases in their 5th Avenue shop and became an instant success, setting the standard for luxury travel accessories. On the ship going to New York, he learned about the Wall Street crash. In response, on his subsequent return to Paris, he decided to move even further upmarket and cater to clients unaffected by the crash.

When, in 1941, the Maharajah of Patiala ordered 100 exquisite minaudière evening bags in lacquer for his harem, each containing a solid gold cigarette lighter, our innovative artisans brought their artistic approach to designing the world’s first luxury lighter. Six years later, as France’s leading leather goods artisans, S.T. Dupont were commissioned to produce a personalised travel case for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II and Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogart commissioned the artisans at S.T. Dupont to design a lightweight travel bag for air travel and for weekends on his yacht, the Santana. Continuing their tradition of supplying the world’s elite, in 1951, S.T. Dupont artisans were tasked with the role of creating a bespoke travel case specially designed for the Duchess of Windsor. In 1953 André Dupont created his first ladies’ handbag, the ‘Riviera’ as a limited edition, using exotic leathers to complete his range of special orders. The Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan and actress Audrey Hepburn became one of his first clients.

Make it more beautiful. Make it expensive. Make it innovative.
Lucien Tissot-Dupont

The French Maison took a new direction in 1973 with the production of its first luxury pen, the Classique, made of sterling silver. When Jackie Kennedy Onassis mentioned she’d love a pen to match her beloved personalised lighter, S.T. Dupont’s artisans designed the first luxury ballpoint based on her lighter’s drive wheel. The company also experienced a renaissance of its classic luxury goods – leather goods, watches and cufflinks, wich it continues to produce today. The 135th anniversary of the Maison was celebrated in 2007. The company is known today for its expertise in luxury goods crafted of precious metals, leather and featuring Chinese lacquer detailing.

Fragrances were an important addition to the luxury lines offered by this prestigious French Maison. The first S.T. Dupont Pour Homme and Pour Femme were introduced in 1998. S.T. Dupont fragrances are produced under license by Interparfums.

 

 

 

 

Cartier Celebrating 100 years of Tank

This year, Cartier is celebrating the 100th anniversary of their Tank watch. Created by Louis Cartier in 1917, inspired by the (then) new Renault tanks that were used at the front during WW1. Based on this design, in the years the French Maison has made beautiful variations; the Tank Louis Cartier, the Tank Américaine and the Tank Française.

Still fine, ever popular, available in numerous iterations, and enjoyed by men and women alike, the Cartier Tank is a case study not only for how a moment in time can be captured by a watch, but also for how the echoes of its design can reverberate long into the future.

The Tank design has been copied by many, but there’s only one original of course. The Tank is a rectangular watch, but not exactly, as the sides (also referred to as brancards) are a tad bit longer than the center part of the case. It allows the strap to become part of the overall design of the watch.

Most Tank watches are characterized by having Roman numerals, chemin de fer (double line on the dial that represents the chapter ring), the aforementioned brancards and the winding crown with sapphire cabochon. An elegant appearance that is suitable for both men and women. And can be seen on the wrist of many famous men and women, today and in the past, like Gary Cooper, Catherine Deneuve, Jean Cocteau, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Diana, Alain Delon, Gunter Sachs, Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent and Jackie Kennedy. To name just a few.

Legend has it, that one of the first Tank watches was presented by Louis Cartier to General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in WW1. A token of thanks, and this gift also made him one of the first prominent owners of a Tank watch.

A serie of 15 videos created by design studio David et Pauline celebrating the 100th years of the biggest watch icon: the Tank. By imagining a sleek design built with geometrics lines, shapes, patterns, typography, and by creating clean animations, the videos put emphasis on all the different aspects that makes the timepiece an eternal and contemporary legend.

The videos were posted on Cartier’s Instagram and the video designs are currently used to introduce the Tank collection on Cartier’s website. Above, an editing from 15 videos.

Come into the beautiful world of Cartier.

 

About David et Pauline

Founderd in 2013, Studio David et Pauline is a multidisciplinary Creative Studio who offers services in film & art direction, animation, set design for still & moving images. Founded in Berlin by Pauline Schleimer & David Després, the studio loves to explore new techniques & graphic universes, working with an experimental & sensitive approach. The award-winning studio works as a creative partner in all aspects branding, for clients across disciplines.

Pauline is art director & illustrator, she studied at Supinfocom & University of Art & Design Strasbourg. David is film director & animator, he studied at Gobelins in Paris. Driven by their passion for creativity, they love mixing different medias & playing with eye-catching ‘mise en scène’. They are known for their high art films, acute aesthetic & authentic touch, over 10 years of in depth industry experience.

Come into the creative world of David et Pauline.

 

 

 

 

Cartier Magnetic Art Deco High Jewelry clock

 

 

 

Cartier is a passionate observer of beauty throughout the world, always hunting for rare, unique stones. Now it has created a new collection of High Jewelry: the Cartier Royal Collection. Royal… for the quality of the gems, the inspiration of the design and the perfection of the result. It is an eclectic collection sparkling with High Jewelry creations and unique objects that represent a combination of rigor, curiosity and passion….

 

 

 

A beautiful magnetic Art Deco style clock, with yellow and pink gold marquetry, yellow gold bezel, white gold float, one 7.32-carat cabochon-cut crystal opal, rock crystal, coral, onyx, emeralds, mother-of-pearl marquetry with brilliant-cut diamonds. This clock as an eight-day going manual mechanical movement. The work on this piece is still ongoing.

 

 

 

Precious: Yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, opal, rock crystal, coral, onyx, emeralds, mother-of-pearl and diamonds. Look at those details!

Ohhh… and believe me. This Cartier magnetic Art Deco high jewelry clock, would fit perfect on my coffee table next to my favorite chair. OOhh it would make me soo happy!