by Dr. Marco Tassini
Cartier’s Panthère watch collection stands as a paradigm of refined elegance and inventive design. These watches are celebrated jewellery masterpieces that fuse art, nature, and technical mastery into a single iconic expression. At the heart of Cartier’s design philosophy for the Panthère watch is an imaginative interpretation of nature’s majestic creatures. The watch redefines animal imagery by presenting an abstract “coat” that is neither entirely zebra nor solely tiger. Instead, Cartier has crafted a visual language that teases both identities, using subtle cues in texture and form to evoke a sense of animalistic grace.
This creative endeavour goes beyond simple mimicry: it is a thoughtful exploration of how nature’s raw, instinctive power can be distilled into a wearable work of art. In doing so, Cartier honours the spirit of its namesake while crafting a design that remains singularly original, a metamorphosis of the animal motif into a refined, contemporary jewellery statement.
Panthère de Cartier watch
Rose gold
Case and bracelet set with 398 brilliant-cut diamonds (3.36 ct), spessartites
and two different shades of lacquers: black and golden-brown, rose gold dial
set with 145 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.38 ct) and black lacquer, steel swordshaped
hands with a rose golden finish.
Quartz movement
Dimensions: 36.5 mm x 26.7 mm | Thickness: 6.8 mm | Water-resistant up to 3 bar (approx. 30 metres).
Panthère de Cartier watch
Rose gold
Panthère de Cartier watch Rose gold. Semi-paved case and bracelet set with
179 brilliant-cut diamonds (1.56 ct),
silver dial, blued-steel sword-shaped hands.
Quartz movement
Dimensions: 30.3 mm x 22 mm | Thickness: 6.05 mm | Water-resistant up to 3 bar (approx. 30 metres).
Semi-Paved Variations
In addition to its fully enriched versions, the Panthère watch also embraces the subtleties of a semi-paved design that highlights its delicate beauty. Available in both rose gold and yellow gold, these variations exude a refined lightness that complements the overall aesthetic. The semi-paved versions feature a carefully calibrated gradient of diamonds, arranged with painstaking precision along the links of the bracelet. This design not only enhances the watch’s visual appeal but also creates an interplay of light and shadow that adds depth and sophistication. A white dial, encircled by a diamond-set bezel, offers a striking contrast to the gold case, imbuing the piece with a modern yet timeless quality. Here, Cartier’s ability to balance opulence with restraint is on full display, ensuring that each watch is both a functional timepiece and a statement piece of contemporary art.
‘‘This latest edition of Watches & Wonders reflects Cartier’s watchmaking expertise. It reveals the limitless versatility harnessed within the Manufacture and with our trusted partners, boldly innovating around new movements and reinventing the great classics of the Maison. It invites jewellery to move into the world of watchmaking and, at the Maison des Métiers d’Art, brings the precision of rare craftsmanship to the miniature scale of watch dials.’’
Karim Drici, Manufacturing Director at Cartier
Jewellery-Making Expertise
The meticulous craftsmanship that underpins the Panthère watch is nothing short of extraordinary. This collection is a testimony to Cartier’s longstanding reputation for excellence in jewellery-making. Every element of the watch, from its dial to the intricately set bracelet, requires an artisanal touch. The process begins with hand-applied lacquer, which is fired at high temperatures within the Maison des Métiers d’Art, ensuring a durable yet aesthetically exquisite finish. Further elevating its craftsmanship, the watch’s dial is adorned with 145 brilliant-cut diamonds, applied using a technique known as snowsetting. The bracelet, meanwhile, is a veritable mosaic, entirely paved with 314 brilliant-cut diamonds and complemented by 86 spessartites. This painstaking work, which demands over 110 hours of dedicated labour, captures the essence of Cartier commitment to precision and beauty.
Cartier watches are made of 750/1000 gold. The carat weight of the stones is given as an indication and may vary slightly.
