Cartier Tressage

Cartier brings forth an enchanting blend of creativity and craftsmanship with the Tressage watch, transforming gold, diamonds, and stones into a captivating piece of art. Drawing inspiration from Cartier’s Maillon, Coussin, and Reflection collections, this timepiece reinterprets the Maison’s vocabulary, combining elements like yellow gold, bold volumes, and contrasting materials to create a unique watchmaking sculpture. 

The Tressage watch features a rectangular dial paved with snow-set diamonds, surrounded by two twists of gold and diamonds. The smooth, round yellow gold alternates with pavé diamonds on one side, while the sharp, vertical lines of the brancards create a striking contrast. The interplay of materials extends to the shiny leather strap, further accentuating the dynamic textures and colors of the watch.

Creative freedom breaks traditional codes, allowing the watch to evoke both tension and sensuality, giving rise to several distinct versions. One version in yellow gold stands out with smooth gadroons contrasting with a black dial and leather strap. Another version presents a deep blue strap, with twists and dial paved in snow-set diamonds. A third version introduces sapphires alongside diamonds, extending the harmony to the strap.

In these creations, Cartier honors the legacy of Jeanne Toussaint, the first female creative director of Cartier, whose visionary work began in 1933. Her influence is evident in the dynamic interplay between round shapes, sharp lines, and the fine relief of pavé diamonds, creating infinite effects and brilliance.

As Marie-Laure Cérède, Creative Director of Jewellery and Watchmaking, explains, “Tressage is not just a piece of jewelry that tells time. It is a fusion of watchmaking and jewelry, transcending boundaries to create a unique and atypical timepiece.”