Cartier's artisans in La Chaux-de-Fonds came together and carried nature to the wrists as art pieces with two new models of 'Métiers d'Art' collection.

Since the appearance of its abstract form in 1914, Cartier continues to interpret its iconic panther in various forms with many valuable materials. From motif to material or volume, everything about the animal goes beyond different crafts and techniques, overcoming unexpected difficulties in the creation process and contributing to the development of new techniques.

Ronde Louis Cartier Straw and Gold Marquetry

The Ronde Louis Cartier watch, entirely created in the hands of the 'Maison des Métiers d'Art' engraving masters in La Chaux-de-Fonds, is a synthesis of mesh and gold engraving. Adding the precious metal to the material palette currently used in engraving, made it possible to work with volume and provide a half embossed appearance. For this technique, Maison des Métiers d’Art artisans had to train the engravers to work with gold.

To create the decor pieces, 75 mesh knives of various diameters and shapes were used finished in 11 colors. At the head of the cat, which is individually shaped and matted, 65 elements are used in white, yellow, and pink gold.

Ronde Louis Cartier Straw and Gold Marquetry Watch comes with a 42mm 18K white gold case. A sapphire cabochon adorns the winding crown. The model is limited to 30 pieces only.

The production of Ronde Louis Cartier Straw and Gold Marquetry Finishing the model took more than 100 hours of labor. 97 hours are spent on the dial. A gray alligator strap completes the art piece model.

Ronde Louis Cartier Enamel Filigree Watch

Another technique that Maison des Métiers d’Art artisans and designers focused on this year was the enamel filigree. In this technique, the enamel powder is heated and the glass is stretched until it takes the shape of bamboo before it is fixed to the small gold strips on the dial. With this technique, the bamboo effect used in the foreground is created.

To add perspective and create depth to the motif, masters benefited from another specialty. Arched 'champlevé' enamel painting techniques are used for the bamboo, fur, and the black point of the eyes, while miniature dial painting techniques were used for the sky.

Ronde Louis Cartier Enamel Filigree Watch comes with a 36mm 18K white gold case. A single 0.08-carat diamond adorns the winding crown while 269 pieces (1.99 carats) of diamonds adorn the bezel, dial, and buckle. The model, which is limited to only 30 pieces, is completed with a blue alligator strap.

The hand-wound Caliber 430 MC offering a 38-hour power reserve when fully wound powers both watches.