Documenting the origins and evolution of the jeweller’s best-known timepieces, A Journey Through Time is now taking place at Cartier’s flagship boutique in Singapore located in the ION Orchard mall.

Continuing until February 2, 2024, the exhibition explores the brand’s history through a curated display of historical timepieces, ranging from classic, early-20th century examples to quintessential Cartier London designs of the Swinging Sixties. The watches on show trace the development of form cases, from rectangles to ovals and everything in between, which came to symbolise the brand. These case shapes, as well as the familiar Roman numerals and blued hands, are now integral elements of Cartier’s design lexicon. 

Some of the earliest watches on display including a Santos (1926), Tonneau (1911), and Tortue monopoussoir chronograph (1936)

Signature Cartier London examples (from left), JJC (1974), Maxi Oval (1969), and Pebble (1972)

According to Cartier, the inspiration for this exhibition came from Time Project, a collection of 12 short films directed by the Norwegian fashion photographer and filmmaker Sølve Sundsbø. Starring American actor Jake Gyllenhaal, the films captured the brand’s relationship with time and are playing on screens in the exhibition area showing the brand’s current models.

However, enthusiasts will be there primarily for the 23 timepieces from the Cartier Collection, the brand’s treasure trove of vintage watches, clocks, jewellery, and other objects from its history. With the oldest watch on show dating from 1911 – it’s a Tonneau in yellow gold – the exhibition of vintage watches is compact but comprehensive.

Highlights include the Chiech, a quirky watch shaped like a draped headscarf made in 1983; this example is the smaller model and set with diamonds, originally meant for female winners of the Paris-Dakar Rally. And of course the exhibition includes a Crash, specifically a Cartier London Crash in platinum and amongst the last ever made there, dating from 1990.

A Journey Through Time takes place from January 27 to February 2, 2024 at Le Salon Cartier located in the ION Orchard. It is open daily to the public from 10:00 am-8:30 pm. Admission is free, but registration is required to attend.

ION Orchard Singapore
Level 3
2 Orchard Turn
Singapore 238801

To register, visit Cartier.sg.