【Tokyo, Japan】Cartier Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Its First Japanese Boutique with High Jewelry Exhibition, Guided by Four Celebrities

Cartier marked the 50th anniversary of opening its first boutique in Japan with a high jewelry event held at the Meiji Memorial Hall in late July 2024.

The exhibition, themed “ESSENCE – The Elements Weaving the Cartier Style,” focused on five indispensable elements of Cartier’s style—Movement, Light, Colors, Shapes, and Curiosity—across five dedicated areas. Approximately 300 pieces of high jewelry and watches were assembled, including unique creations representing each element, new high jewelry collections, creations blending Cartier’s aesthetic elements with inspirations from Japanese culture and art, and pieces from the “Cartier Tradition” collection, where historical works are restored based on archives and offered for sale.

Four actors currently active in various fields—Anne Nakamura, Ayami Nakajo, Sara Minami, and Yosuke Sugino—visited this special event, immersing themselves in Cartier’s world. Special videos were also released featuring each of them answering personal questions related to the elements of the areas.

The “MOVEMENT” area was a space inspired by the supple curves depicted in Cartier’s high jewelry and the elegant movement of the panther, a symbol of the Maison. When Anne Nakamura, who viewed numerous pieces featuring motifs of flora and fauna and graphic designs suggesting dynamic movement here, was asked, “What moves your heart?” she gave a powerful one-word answer:

She added, “I value the feeling of taking a step towards or challenging what excites me, even when I’m hesitant,” her eyes shining as she looked at Cartier’s creative creations.

The “LIGHT” area focused on the dazzling light released from stones, centered on diamonds. Ayami Nakajo, who experienced the unique creations that maximize the brilliance and charm of the stones, shared that the light that makes her feel happy is:

“Thinking that there are still many unknown places in the universe excites me,” she said, letting her thoughts drift to unseen grand lights through Cartier’s fantastical dance of light.

The “COLORS” area was set up in the “Golden Pheasant Room” of the Meiji Memorial Hall. Here, mesmerizing pieces where color stood out were displayed on walls reflecting the wallpaper’s色调. Sara Minami, filled with exhilaration upon witnessing the masterful use of color in Cartier high jewelry through carefully selected high-quality stones and innovative color combinations, was asked, “If you were to compare your life to a color?” She decided instantly:

“I’ve challenged myself with various things at my own pace, so I think green suits me,” she said. She seemed to overlay her own life story onto colored stones like emeralds and tsavorite garnets, gaining new power to move forward.

As a watchmaker of form, Cartier has shaped silhouettes starting from design, creating unique forms recognizable at a glance as Cartier. The “SHAPES” area introduced the exquisite craftsmanship of Cartier watches. Yosuke Sugino, gazing intently at the numerous watches displayed in open displays, was asked about the “shape that represents your inner self.” He gave a uniquely fitting answer:

“Geometry is an accumulation of simple things, and I think I have a relatively simple way of thinking myself, but I’m often told I’m unique, so I think geometry fits me perfectly,” he revealed, projecting his inner self onto Cartier’s timepieces and feeling a sense of affinity.

Another area was “CURIOSITY.” It displayed numerous pieces from “Cartier Tradition,” where past works are carefully restored by skilled craftsmen while cross-referencing archives, celebrating creativity that does not fade over time. The pieces, with their renewed brilliance, radiated an emotional charm born from the march of history and perpetual beauty.

Cartier, always maintaining an open mind and curiosity, has continued to discover beauty hidden in all things through its original creations. The evolution of the Maison will continue from here.