Simple side of luxury
The brand strives for originality, good movements and designs that are subtle and special so they will last for generations
A major factor that makes Cartier an outstanding luxury brand in the watch industry is its unique simplicity in design - a challenging and difficult task to achieve, according to Maxime Elgue, Cartier managing director (Far East).
'While many [watch producers] go for complicated features such as a tourbillon, we strive for originality, good movements, and subtle and special designs,' he said. 'We hope our design will last for 50 to 60 years.'
To achieve this, Cartier calls for teamwork and experienced designers with strong international backgrounds, and capable of blending the traditions of the past with the present.
Some distinct Cartier features include its signature sapphire hands and cabochon, and elegant Arabic numerals.
Mr Elgue said Cartier timepieces had been well received in Hong Kong since 1972.
The company will open its eighth Hong Kong boutique in Union Square, Kowloon, soon. Cartier also foresees an increase in the booming China market. While 98 per cent of Cartier designs cater for the international market, from time to time selective collections are made for a specific niche.
For example, timepieces featuring Chinese dragons and horses in enamel and diamonds were produced after a Cartier director was inspired by the beautiful artwork of dragons when he visited the Forbidden City in Beijing.
These creations are meant for collectors who are interested in traditional Chinese culture.
For women collectors who fancy quirky dials, the Cartier Libre Collection could be the answer to their dreams.
The exquisite timepieces are dominated by curves and round shapes.
The Cartier Ronde Folle offers a wonderful touch of fantasy. The hour marks on the round dial are locked behind a precious grid, a capricious and curvaceous cage.
A spellbinding watch, it weaves its magical charm with oversized Arabic numerals.
The Ronde Excentree featuring Roman letters gives a sunray design effect on its dial.
The Ronde Perlee is a chronograph. Its dials toy with time in its petal-like curves, beautifully enhanced with set diamonds.
A collection of sophisticated bracelet watches are ideal for evening party wear, creating a slender silhouette of the utmost elegance.
In the Ballerine Watch Collection, every curve of the bracelet seems to dance and wrap itself around the wrist.
A ribbon of gold, its links set the pace with light and grace.
Pride of place is given to the curvaceous case, the hour-marks enhancing the exquisite line for the arched rectangle.
Created in yellow, pink or white gold, with or without the endless sparkle of brilliant-cut diamonds around the bracelet, this collection plays at being demure, yet its classic style boasts an appealing extravagance.
Under Cartier's Collection Privee, the Cloche Watch looks daring to transpose the simple and original shape of a bell and turn it into a wristwatch.
This collection is released in a limited series of 100.
Time has turned around on this watch face to be read perpendicular to the strap.
This watchmaker's trick and ingenious design feature enables the watch to be placed on a desk like a clock.
The Rotonde de Cartier, a complicated watch in platinum, is all about volume.
Round, majestic and powerful, its curving sides impose their presence.
Released in a limited edition of 10, it features the most prestigious complications: tourbillon, perpetual calendar, single push-button chronograph and an eight-day power reserve.
Ballerine Watch in pink gold Ballerine Watch in white gold with diamondscartier
