Editor’s Note
This article explores the enduring legacy of Cartier’s most iconic watch designs, from the feline-inspired Panthère to the geometrically bold Tank, highlighting how these timepieces have transcended trends to become permanent fixtures in the world of luxury.
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Cartier’s signature square-face Panthère de Cartier watches date back to the 1980s. The watch takes a much more subtle approach to incorporating the brand’s Panthère motif with a clever chain design that’s reminiscent of the big cat’s movement. The Baignoire (the name translates to “bathtub”) is named for its curved, oval casing and is a great dress or cocktail watch option. The Tank, designed by Louis Cartier, was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tank used in World War I by the French military.
In the 1970s, the talented jewelry designer Elsa Peretti crafted the now viral bone cuff. Its sculpted shape was made to resemble the sinuous lines of Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Milà and designed for a seamless fit around the wrist.
If you’re like the Van Cleef & Arpels family and believe in the power of a lucky charm, the four-leaf-clover-adorned Alhambra pieces are a smart investment to summon good energy. The first iteration was decorated with over 20 black and white clovers, but today, there are plenty of variations to add to your jewelry box—from malachite to carnelian to tiger’s eye.
The iconic Bulgari Serpenti watch initially gained popularity in 1962, when Elizabeth Taylor was seen wearing the design on the set of the film Cleopatra. The design, which draws on the brand’s various codes—from the serpent-like coiling and scale-like chain bands, to Bulgari’s signature Tubogas technique—seamlessly integrates decorative elements of jewelry into the watch. Even the dial is shaped like a snake’s head.
Nothing like the security alarm going off at TSA because someone can’t take off their Cartier Love bracelet. The Love bracelet is a Cartier classic. It comes with its own screwdriver that locks it into place, making sure it’s safe to wear no matter the activity (and impossible to take off at the airport). Another timeless design from the brand? The Juste un Clou, which debuted in the 1970s, when Cartier turned a curved-shaped nail into one of the most coveted bracelets of all time. In English, “juste un clou” translates to “just a nail,” but the design has become much more than that. It represents a rebelliously cool approach to luxury jewelry, and today, both motifs—the Love and the Juste un Clou—are available in a number of different iterations, though the rings and bracelets are amongst the most popular.
A pair of diamond studs is one of the most versatile and elegant jewelry pieces to own, so naturally, these earrings are mainstays amongst the most coveted luxury jewelry items.