DO YOU SPEAK CARTIER?
The MAISON’S vocabulary opens one’s eyes to beauty in the most unsuspecting of places. They are words that reveal what no one else sees. These are the Cartier definitions.
Coussin [kÜ-sin]
Noun, French Translates to “cushion”: a fabric cover containing padding that is used for decoration or comfort.
At Cartier, the word designates a watch filled with character: a square bordered with spiral-set diamonds, featuring a padded texture and finished with graphic edges. Versions with two-toned pavé, inverted stones or a supple material shimmering with diamonds and colored stones: Made for the evening, this watch is for those who never sleep!
Signature (secrète) [si-ŋa-tur se-krEt]
Noun: a signature, in the broadest sense, is the self. A hand-drawn mark, the most personal there is, by which one gives their approval or represents their identity. By extension, it is everything that distinguishes a person and makes them unique.
At Cartier, the secret signature is the discreet “Cartier” inscribed at an angle on one of the Roman numerals on the dial, serving as a nod and sign of connection between oneself and the Maison.
Cabochon [ka-bo-∫on]
Noun: a fine stone with a rounded and polished shape.
At Cartier, the winding crowns of the watches are set with a sapphire or blue spinel cabochon depending on the model. As exquisite as it is functional, the cabochon serves as a link between the founding crafts of the Maison: watchmaking and jewelry.
Brancard [bran-kar]
Noun: the elongated part or handle used to lift a wheelbarrow or carry a stretcher.
At Cartier, the brancards of the Tank watch trace the two parallel sides, which extend through the strap attachments. The meeting of these elements (the case and attachments) is the fruit of a long research process and marks a stylistic development like no other. Today, these two inseparable elements are the signature of the Tank watch.
Glaive [glEv]
Noun: weapon with a blade that has two sharp sides. It is also a symbol of war, combat or power.
At Cartier, on the dial of certain Cartier watches, the hands borrow their sharp profile from the sword. The legacy of an age-old watchmaking tradition, watchmakers blue the hands to prevent corrosion by oxidizing the metal through a heating process. A detail that remains in line with the Maison’s watchmaking codes.
Indomptable [in-dom-ptabl]
Adjective, French Translates to “untamable”: that cannot be tamed, that remains wild.
At Cartier, Les Indomptables is a collection of bracelets and watches that mingles the tiger and the giraffe, the zebra and the crocodile. Through this range, Cartier dares to hybridize jewelry and completely revamps the chimera genre. Spectacular pieces that put a twist on the Maison’s menagerie yet pay homage to it with an ultra-realistic design, in the great tradition of naturalism according to Cartier.
Quartier libre / Cartier libre [Kar-tjE libr]
Expression: in French, “avoir quartier libre” means having free time to do what you want; additionally, quartier and Cartier are pronounced in the same way.
At Cartier, Cartier Libre is THE meeting point of the Maison and creativity. Here, watchmaking and jewelry are eagerly on the lookout for new forms of expression, through ever more unique aesthetics. Creativity creates bridges between the past, present and future, and the Maison’s stylistic vocabulary lends itself to an interplay of completely liberated creations.