The POWER OF THREE

Cartier continues its celebration of the Trinity 100 anniversary with a pop-up arriving in town in July.

- GORDON NG

Turning 100 is a momentous occasion— especially for Trinity by Cartier, which celebrates its centenary this year. Created in 1924, the design of three interlocking gold rings, one in rose, white and yellow gold, has established itself as an enduring icon. The Parisian jeweller kicked off its celebrations earlier this year with a slate of activations in

three of its most emblematic cities. New York, with its new world majesty; London, the hub of the maison’s creativity; and Paris, the heart and soul of the house.

But the Trinity collection, as its 100th easily proves, is a global icon. Which is why Cartier is continuing its commemoration of the anniversary with a new wave of pop-ups in Shanghai and Singapore in July, Tokyo in October and culminating in the US in December.

When the Trinity design was minted in 1924, the three bands of gold were said to represent different values. Indeed, the number three brings with it a host of symbolic and possible meanings. Early on, one interpretation was that rose gold represented love, white gold was friendship and yellow gold was loyalty. Today, the Trinity values are love itself, a diversity of bonds and universality.

In addition to these lasting values, what has remained true for a century is the strength of Trinity’s design. Conceived by Louis Cartier, a grandson of the house’s founder, Trinity was a complete revelation at a time when art deco ruled the day. Jewellery in 1924 was a fancier affair, and Trinity—a ring with three connected bands of gold with curved bombé exteriors and smooth interior lines, and with no gems set into it—was a streamlined and presciently minimalist difference.