Cartier’s watchmaking arm has gone from strength to strength with the establishment of six production facilities across Switzerland. Karishma Tulsidas tours its main manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, and delves into the incredible minutiae of crafting a Cartier watch.
Did you know that French jeweller Cartier is credited with strapping the first watch on the wrist of a man? The year was 1904, and aviator Alberto Santos Dumont found the pocket watch too cumbersome when flying. Louis Cartier came up with the idea of the wristwatch and thus Cartier’s horological journey was cemented.
Nonetheless, for the longest time, Cartier’s timepieces were equipped with movements from external watchmakers such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget. It was in the 1990s that the maison recognised that in order to be taken seriously as a contender in haute horlogerie, it had to step up its watchmaking competencies. It began investing wholly in horological know-how and real estate across Switzerland, and opened six diverse facilities around the country that focus on a range of watchmaking specialities.
Today, Cartier’s fully integrated manufacturing facilities are capable of conceptualising, designing, developing and producing entire collections from scratch. The brain of this entire enterprise is located at La Chaux-de-Fonds, and is called the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie. This is where Cartier houses its research and development arm, called Think Tank; where it produces and manufactures components and assembles movements; where it performs its after-sales duties; and where its restoration workshop is based.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2017 de Singapore Tatler.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 2017 de Singapore Tatler.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Old-World CHARM
Professional photographer and content creator Zipeng Lee takes off to Switzerland to experience some of the country’s most storied heritage hotels
THE World ACCORDING TO Redzepi
Renowned Noma chef René Redzepi and executive producer Matt Goulding unpack Apple TV's new eight-part docuseries, Omnivore, and its exploration of humanity through food
COURAGE OF CONVICTION
Tatler speaks to Bing Chen, Prabal Gurung and Kevin Lin to discuss how their non-profit Gold House is changing the future of the Asian diaspora
INDUSTRIALI
Exploring the important sustainability efforts taking place beyond obvious industries
THE BALL'S INHER COURT
China's most celebrated tennis star Li Na opens up about her career, influencing young athletes and her continuous learning journey
Love Story
Set in Paris, Graff's new bridal campaign marries the timelessness of love and diamonds
Over the Rainbow
The inspirations behind Hermés creative director for jewellery Pierre Hardy's latest and gorgeously colourful high jewellery collection surprise and delight
Twist and Turn
Bvlgari's debut Tubogas jewellery collection reimagines a classic technique with 16 stunning creations
Game On
From diamond‑set carabiner‑inspired clasps to a carbon fibre cuff, Chanel knocks it out of the park with Sport, an audacious and innovative high jewellery collection unlike any other
The Wrist Taker
Shipping scion and basketball team owner Hendi Widodo unlocks his vault of rarefied timepieces