cartier breathes new life into emblematic shapes presenting épure & excès at SIHH 2018

for the 2018 edition of the salon international de la haute horlogerie (SIHH), cartier presents an evolution of their established watches, in an immersive display hand-crafted by parisian miniaturists. with each display taking over 40 hours to create, the overall creative concept employs masters in metalwork, carpentry, leatherwork, marquetry and couture.

all images courtesy of cartier

the immersive experience draws visitors into themed pavilions designed to question, surprise and elicity a response. bringing the cartier timepieces to life by video screenings, lighting and ambient sound, twin display cabinets showcase the watch or clock on one side and the history of the piece on the other.

the santos de cartier watch, originally created in 1904 for the aviator santos-dumont, is part of the stylistic heritage of the cartier maison. in keeping with the spirit of its age, the watch has evolved with the passing decades, and the interchangeable straps in the latest version are being marketed as the next logical chapter in its history. focusing on comfortable wear, the watch has been precisely weighted, measured to optimise comfort and ergonomic, designed for a perfect fit on the wrist. the bezel has been updated to favour the synergy between the lines of the case and the straps, accentuating the stylistic dynamic of the watch.

available in steel, gold, calf or alligator skin, all versions are interchangeable thanks to cartier quickswitch system. the technology features an invisible mechanism that blends into the structure of the case. another cutting-edge feature is the smartlink self-fitting technology which adjusts the length of the metal bracelet to the nearest link without the use of a tool.