Editor’s Note
As luxury brands gravitate towards traditional hubs, Cartier’s choice of Stockholm for its ‘En Équilibre’ high jewellery launch offers a refreshing narrative on finding balance between heritage and modernity.
While many luxury brands flock to Italy this season, Cartier has charted a course north. The French luxury jeweller and watchmaker chose the Swedish capital, Stockholm, to unveil its new high jewellery collection titled ‘En Équilibre’ (“in balance”).
Arnaud Carrez, Cartier’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, told guests—including actors Zoe Saldaña, Alexander Skarsgård, Anna Sawai, and Deepika Padukone—during the brand’s gala dinner at the Artipelag art gallery on Tuesday. He described the city as “an ideal location.”
In an interview with Vogue Business at the historic Nacka Strandmässen venue where the collection is displayed, Carrez explained the choice: “Cartier is a pioneering maison, one that loves to go off the beaten track and reinvent itself. That’s why exploring new cities seemed like an interesting opportunity to us.” This follows last year’s presentation of the ‘Nature Sauvage’ high jewellery collection in Vienna.
Cartier’s connection with Sweden dates to 1904 when it created a tiara for the Swedish royal family. The brand opened its first Scandinavian boutique in Stockholm in 2018, followed by one in Copenhagen in 2019.
Carrez noted.
Approximately 500 guests, including 350 clients, are expected in Stockholm over two weeks to view—and potentially purchase—the 113 new pieces. Highlights include the white gold Panthère Dentelée necklace with emeralds, onyx, and diamonds.
commented Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s Style and Heritage Director, on the piece.
Other notable items are the rose gold Hyala necklace with yellow and pink sapphires and diamonds, and the Tigris necklace in yellow gold with onyx and a 16.62-carat pear-shaped topaz. The presentation also features an archive room and a special orders space. A second showcase is planned for October in Beijing.
These high jewellery events are proving successful. Carrez stated that last year’s Singapore event for ‘Nature Sauvage’ “far exceeded our expectations,” calling it “a remarkable year for high jewellery at Cartier.”
Cartier, owned by Richemont, continues to show resilience. While Richemont doesn’t break out figures for individual houses, its jewellery division (including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier) saw sales grow 11% year-on-year in the first quarter. Morgan Stanley estimates Cartier’s sales for fiscal year 2025 reached €11.1 billion, making it the world’s largest jeweller. Jewellery accounts for 63% of Cartier’s sales (with high jewellery contributing 10%), watches 31%, and other categories 6%.
Despite sector headwinds like a slowdown in China and rising gold prices, Cartier’s strategy of revitalising icons has paid off.
Carrez said. “Now, the context is what it is, so we have to demonstrate agility and continuously adjust ourselves.”
The brand has taken a cautious approach to price increases. In mid-May, it raised prices globally by 2.5% on jewellery and 4% on watches, a smaller hike than some competitors.
Carrez confirmed.