When jewellery and watchmaking come together, it isn’t just a matter of fitting stones into dials. With these new creations from Cartier, the fusion feels like a true transformation. The Maison’s jewellery watches bring time and ornament into one space, and what you’re really looking at is the convergence of craftsmanship, identity and art.
Take the Baignoire Bangle, for example: launched three years ago and now elevated into something almost concept-wearable. On the latest iteration, the bracelet curves, the case stretches and 380 brilliant-cut diamonds hug the bracelet while another 171 light up the oval case. The dial, with a grained silver finish and anthracite grey Roman numerals, is modest by comparison. It took eight hours just to set the 552 diamonds on the piece, with the jeweller’s greatest challenge being the sensuous, flowing lines of the case and bracelet, which offer no easy flat surfaces to secure the stones.
Another iteration, the ‘Doubly Precious’ Baignoire, dials up the drama, featuring two lines of diamonds that split the case and wave across the wrist in parallel brilliance. Paved with 307 diamonds, the creation took over 70 hours of fine jewellery work.
Even the Maison’s most iconic timepieces are transfigured by the magic of the diamond. The Tank Américaine mini, set with 569 diamonds, dresses a classic watch in evening jewellery. The bracelet links flow like liquid light, the dial keeps the clean codes of the original and the overall effect is one of understated opulence.

And if you think that’s as far as Cartier will push the idea, you’d be wrong. Next is the Panthère de Cartier jewellery watch – an iconic staple which has recently been rediscovered – which amplifies its feline aura with an all-diamond version. One version drenches the flexible bracelet in 370 brilliant-cut diamonds, with 106 more on the case, creating a stream of light that brings the creature’s elegant, kinetic presence to life.
This quest for absolute refinement culminates in the latest collection of Precious Miniatures (also known as “cocktails”), small-shaped watches that brilliantly perpetuate the tradition of glamorous 1920s evening watches. Here, the core design premise was to start afresh, focusing on small, paved creations that simply melt onto the wrist.
One exquisite rectangular piece features a bracelet that daringly combines baguette-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds in an unprecedented composition. Another is a geometric masterpiece boasting an octagonal case that frames a square, sun ray-effect dial with distinct Art Deco flourishes. In a true feat of virtuosity, the gem-setting utilises the demanding triangular grain and cut-down settings, multiplying the light across the varied link shapes.
Taking the creative exploration even further, Cartier revives its emblematic chromatic duo of black and green, combining emeralds and onyx with diamonds in a sophisticated allusion to the Art Deco movement that instantly lends relief and depth. In the most delicate of these pieces, the winding crown completely disappears, replaced by an invisible mechanism that requires a special tool to adjust, the ultimate gesture to preserve the perfect, uninterrupted purity of the jewellery line.
Discover more here.
photography. courtesy of Cartier
words. Gennaro Costanzo




























































