Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier

Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier collection of jewellery watches was one of the highlights of my visit to the SIHH 2013, or Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie, in Geneva. So much more than just jewellery watches, Les Heures Fabuleuses consists of no less than 41 creations that are an extravagant expression of creativity, delight, playfulness and ingenuity. Each watch holds a special secret, from a diamond-coiled serpent that slips off the face of a watch so it may be worn as a brooch to a parrot ring that swivels its diamond-set head to reveal a dial.

The animals regularly associated with Cartier, including, of course, the panther, snake and tropical birds, are present as well as more unusual creatures such as turtles and even little frogs. We see a young panther cub mischievously clambering up a baguette-diamond bracelet, her pelt resplendent in shimmering diamonds. Her little paws are curled around the bracelet as she pulls herself up to peep out at the world through her emerald-green eyes, her tail curling in delight. An elephant proudly marches across the dial of a pocket watch, his trunk waving triumphantly in the air.

My favourite is the ‘Les Indomitables de Cartier’ watch. As richly detailed as any Cartier haute joaillerie creation, a diamond and moonstone frog quietly crouches on a lush, green lotus leaf above a pond of koi carp, surrounded by precious flowers. The frog and his surrounding flora can be detached and worn as a brooch, leaving a watch dial that is a beautiful miniature painting of soft brush strokes, punctuated by floating diamond and pink sapphire lotus flowers and green enamel leaves. Serenity and precision come together in this very unusual creation, which, in true Cartier style, is slightly eccentric and delighfully indulgent.

Cartier Fabuleux Frog watch with brooch removed; leaves in 18ct white gold, enamelled and set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Lotus flowers in moonstone set with pink sapphires.
Cartier Fabuleux parrot watch and ring; watch and ring in rhodium-plated white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, beak in mother of pearl, eyes set with emeralds.
Cartier Fabuleux Peacock watch, a numbered edition limited to 60 pieces. Case in 18ct rhodium-plated white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Cartier Fabuleux Peacock brooch in rhodium-plated white gold; peacock in rhodium-plated white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, with a natural ruby crystal flower, leaf engraved nephrite jade leaf and eye set with a sapphire.
Cartier Fabuleux Peacock without brooch; dial in white gold, mother-of-pearl marquetry, flowers in white gold sculpted and enamelled in relief.
Cartier Fabuleux Envol d’un Phœnix watch. Case in rhodium-plated white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds; crown in rhodium-plated white gold adorned with a diamond.
Brooch in 18ct rhodium-plated pink gold; frog in pink gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds and moonstones, eyes set with emeralds.
Cartier Fabuleux snake watch, a numbered edition limited to 60 pieces. Case in white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Brooch in 18ct rhodium-plated white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, eyes set with yellow diamonds, butterfly set with garnets.
Cartier Fabuleux Baguette Panthe`re watch; case and bracelet in white gold set with brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds.
Cartier Fabuleux snake watch without brooch. Dial in white gold, enamelled and set with diamonds, sword-shaped hands in rhodium-plated steel.
Cartier Fabuleux Tortoise secret watch, diamond-pavéd version.