The end of the year festivities is a time for gifting. With it comes anticipation from both sides of the process. Thinking about a loved one and what might make them jump with joy, or being the receiver of a gift and knowing that your delight was indeed on someone’s mind. As it were, there are few things as thrilling or that can stir emotional anticipation as seeing a red leather box, that famous touch of Cartier iconography.
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Cartier’s red box is perhaps the most well-known in the jewellery world. Traced with golden guirlande patterns, the sight of it is enough to warrant excitement. The reason for that is simple: a creation—indeed, nearly any creation—by Cartier is sure to be an elegant object of beauty.
Cartier is a jeweller at heart, but it has in its repertoire of objects of beauty sure to amuse, delight and enchant varied tastes. Its timepieces, for instance, are icons of sophistication and style—perfect companions for the festivities’ dressier evenings and beyond. Leather goods, meanwhile, draw inspiration from the most famous touches of Cartier design, and the Maison’s collection of fragrances offers a world of graceful, enchanting style.
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Here, discover Vogue’s curation of festive Cartier gift ideas, each one a treasured creation chosen to whet the appetite of desire and delight.
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Love is all around
Is there a piece of jewellery more iconic or more immediately recognisable than the Love bracelet? Our say is that few things come close to the lasting power of this Cartier signature.
The symbolism of the Love collection is brilliant in its versatility. Designer Aldo Cipullo may have come up with it in 1969 because of a heartbreak, but today Love can exist and mean something in so many forms: love for a partner, a child, family, a friend, and certainly yourself.
The modern Love collection is incredibly varied—small, medium and classic widths, and even a new supple model—so that there is something to consider whether you’re starting a wrist stack, adding to one, or picking a solo statement piece.
Love bracelets in yellow gold, small model with pavé diamonds, $40,900; and classic model with 10 diamonds, $25,100
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Purrs of pleasure
Two, as they say, is better than one. This year, Cartier introduced a new design of Panthère jewellery, with a bypass style silhouette and a pair of panther heads that are sleek, sumptuous and full of character.
The feline icon is the house’s most emblematic symbol, drawn from the ‘La Panthère’ nickname of Jeanne Toussaint—the ferocious figure of style and taste who was Cartier’s creative director from the 1930s. A sliver of her enviable style still persists, perhaps, in these great cats tamed and turned into jewels that feel simultaneously fierce, playful and endearing.
Panthère de Cartier ring, $11,400; and bracelet, $20,000; both in yellow gold with black lacquer, onyx noses and tsavorite garnet eyes
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Shaping time
Cartier is known as a watchmaker that does shapes best. Most of the timepiece icons from its history, if you’ll notice, are anything but a round circle. That difference, which can be said to be the Cartier style, makes them instantly recognisable. Here, three icons in their modern forms that are all about a graphic shape:
The oval Baignoire, or French for bathtub, was first introduced in 1912. It had gone dormant for several years as a sleeper niche, but has reemerged triumphantly in more recent times as a must-have piece of sublimely elegant Cartier design. In its contemporary form, a gold bangle continues the sleek curved lines of the case.
Baignoire de Cartier mini model in rose gold, $21,200
The Tank is one of the must enduring and potent pieces of watch design out there. Its popularity doesn’t diminish its style—in fact, wearing a Tank is akin to joining a club of connoisseurs. The most classical version of this watch is the Tank Louis Cartier, which comes with a subtle, gorgeous guilloché dial. This year, Cartier introduced a large model so that its elegance can find a home on even more wrists.
Tank Louis Cartier large model in rose gold, $21,500
If what goes up must come down, then the same might be true of watch case sizes. The ever popular Santos de Cartier saw the introduction this year of a small model, with proportions that evoke a slightly vintage effect. The Santos was first designed in 1904 to accompany the aviator Alberto Santos Dumont on his flights, and has remained an icon of the Maison since.
Santos de Cartier small model in stainless steel and yellow gold, $14,400
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Life's little things
Why shouldn’t the little things in life be beautiful too? A simple black dress worn to a soirée, for instance, could be made especially alluring with a bag that almost doubles as a jewel. Consider, then, the Panthère C de Cartier line from the Maison that turns the signature feline into an enamel-finish jewel-style buckle. The cat’s features and spots are rendered in sensuous detail, and this mini chain bag—carry it on the shoulder, crossbody, or as a clutch—is finished with golden thread embroidery.
Panthère C de Cartier mini model chain bag in calfskin, $5,500
The last thing one puts on before heading out is often a spritz of perfume. We’d feel naked without it, even. At Cartier, fragrances are akin to invisible jewels, a detail of beauty that dresses and adds a touch of glamour even without being seen. The Maison’s scents are composed by in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent, the talent behind signature fragrances like La Panthère and Baiser Volé. Cartier creates perhaps the loveliest rendition of a fragrance ritual around: Les Nécessaires à Parfum, a perfume case objet that is as beautiful as it is functional. Take it with you to bring a smile to your face when you refresh yourself, or leave it by the door at home as an object of beauty in your ritual.
Les Nécessaires à Parfum perfume case, from $1,200
Discover the art of gifting online, or in a Cartier boutique at ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and Marina Bay Sands.
Watches & jewellery editor Gordon Ng
Photography Vincent Ng/MKV Studio
Videography Kinleung Lau/MKV Studio
Art direction Miki Charwin/MKV Studio
Lighting Mao
Styling Lance Aeron
Hair and makeup Sarah Tan
Manicure Ann Lim
Model Jiale/NOW
