Mind Over Matter

House emblems and signatures are reinterpreted into haute creations with creative aplomb.

- Tan Siok Hoon

Befitting the grand return of a physical Watches & Wonders 2022 in Geneva, Cartier rolled out a spectacular repertoire that more than lived up to the heights of its legendary design prowess. One wonders how the Maison manages to top its previous line-ups each year but it just springs umpteen beautiful surprises consistently and continuously. Among the stunning and striking creations that were unveiled, the Cartier Libre collection stole the show with a unique watch, crafted with the philosophy of full creative freedom embraced by Cartier.

Worn by Hollywood actress Gloria Swanson, a dazzling rock-crystal and diamond bracelet created in the 1930s is the bedrock of inspiration for the new Cartier Libre jewellery watch collection. It is completely reversible and courtesy of a flexible elasticated strap, the hybrid creation can be turned over to embody a watch on the front and a bracelet on the back—allowing it to be worn in two ways and blurring the line between watches and jewellery. Notably, this innovation pays homage to the spirit of transformable designs also espoused by other sisters Maisons in the Richemont group. To allow the case to twist around a specially developed spring and to integrate the redesigned time-setting system at the side without distorting the triangular effect of the watch, the watchmakers had to think out of the box to overcome the technical challenge.