Editor’s Note
This article previews the final installment of Cartier’s event series, “THE MAGIC OF CARTIER’S ARTISANS,” set for February 2026 in Tokyo. The event will showcase the brand’s renowned craftsmanship and savoir-faire at its Ginza boutique.
Cartier will host the final chapter of its event series at the “Maison de Panthère” (Cartier Ginza 2-chome Boutique) titled “THE MAGIC OF CARTIER’S ARTISANS — Cartier’s Savoir-Faire” from Saturday, February 7, to Monday, February 23, 2026.
Cartier’s “Savoir-Faire,” cultivated throughout the Maison’s history, is not merely advanced techniques that produce rare creations. It is an unwavering vision of beauty, a fusion of talent and skill, and the creative act of shaping works by human hands. The exhibition layout was conceived by architects YOKOMAE et BOUAYAD. The concept, inspired by the natural habitat of the leopard, alludes to the panther, the Maison’s symbol. The venue will shed light on the world of Cartier’s ateliers, highlighting from multiple angles the artisans who passionately dedicate themselves to honing and passing on their skills, breathing life into precious materials.
On the first floor, works by photographer Rinko Kawauchi, shot at Cartier’s High Jewelry Atelier in Paris, will be displayed. Visiting the atelier twice in October and November 2025, she captured the gestures of artisans, refined and passed down over decades. What is reflected is the intense concentration and precision poured into jewelry making, along with the underlying dedication and patience of the craftspeople. A series of 34 photographs and video works richly express the allure of craftsmanship, vividly capturing the “magic” brought by savoir-faire, alongside the unique techniques that give birth to beautiful jewelry, from sculpture and gem cutting to stone setting and polishing.
The second floor unravels the craftsmanship born from human hands—the essence of Cartier’s savoir-faire—from various angles.
Cartier is one of the few Maisons to possess all the craftsmanship necessary for exceptional jewelry creation, from conception to completion, within its own workshops. Its production process is shaped by the overlap of traditional techniques inherited by skilled artisans over generations and a spirit that constantly pursues innovation.
With a long-term commitment to women’s empowerment, Cartier has produced two portrait series to celebrate the rare savoir-faire of the women supporting the Maison’s creations. This series features 20 female artisans working at the High Jewelry Atelier in Paris, the workshops of the Maison des Métiers d’Art in Switzerland, and the Cartier Watch Manufacture. They were photographed with tools or symbols representing their craftsmanship. These portraits reflect the Maison’s deep respect and admiration for exceptional savoir-faire and dedication to creating beauty.
Glyptics (gemstone engraving) is a rare ancient technique also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2010, Cartier welcomed Philippe Nicolas, awarded the title “Maître d’Art” by the French Ministry of Culture, establishing the first in-house glyptics workshop for a jewelry Maison. Today, his disciple, Émilie Marque, inherits his skills and leads the workshop. This workshop explores new artistic expressions through glyptics, incorporating materials beyond convention like fossils and petrified wood alongside hardstones, deepening the understanding of gemstones and enabling creation that leverages their characteristics and individuality. At this event, Philippe Nicolas will demonstrate his exceptional craftsmanship through glyptics techniques and his passion for creation.
The Cartier Jewellery Institute, established in 2002, supports the continuous skill development of Cartier artisans. Through collaborations with top schools and internships, it plays a role in passing on jewelry-making techniques and sensibility to the future. For this event, a limited-time, first-in-Japan participatory workshop led by Director Alexandre Oberson will be held. It offers a rare opportunity to experience wax carving of the panther motif, Cartier’s emblem, and metal sawing.
“Métiers d’Art,” meaning “skilled handiwork using traditional techniques” in French, are techniques passed down as a bridge between history and the present, respecting tradition while pursuing creativity and innovation. Their inheritance is one of the Maison’s important commitments. Cartier has commissioned renowned artisans and artists to create works, often featuring the panther motif—the Maison’s emblem—as furnishings adorning its boutiques worldwide.
On the third floor of this event, seven artisans will visit Japan during the period to demonstrate their unique craftsmanship in their respective fields.
The advanced techniques of artisans such as Hervé Obligi (stone marquetry/hardstone marquetry), Sika Viagbo (mosaic), Xiaobei Dong (decorative painting/embroidery), Jean-Noël Turc (lacquer art), Cédric Pertuisier (decorative painting/gold leaf work), Ryo Hikosaka (metal), and Lison de Caunes (straw marquetry) quietly narrate that savoir-faire is a crystallization of creativity, innovation, and excellence—an art passed down through time.
Event Name: “THE MAGIC OF CARTIER’S ARTISANS — Cartier’s Savoir-Faire”
Dates: Saturday, February 7, 2026 – Monday, February 23, 2026 (*February 16: 1F & 2F only)
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (Last entry 18:30)
Venue: “Maison de Panthère” Cartier Ginza 2-chome Boutique: 6-12 Ginza 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Free
Please make a reservation in advance via the Cartier LINE Official Special Site. Priority entry will be given to those with reservations.
Cartier Jewellery Institute Workshop:
Wax Carving: Feb 11 (Wed/Holiday), 13 (Fri), 15 (Sun), 18 (Wed)
Metal Sawing: Feb 12 (Thu), 14 (Sat), 17 (Tue)
Duration: Approx. 60 minutes
Age Requirement: 18 years and older
Participation is free. This is a workshop using tools.
Registration will close once capacity is reached.
Cartier LINE Official Special Site: https://japan-linemini.cartier.com/event-groups/themagicofcartiersartisans