There’s no doubt that Les Indomptables de Cartier Décor Watch is an iconic watch. It is from the Metiers d’Arts collection . This type is one of the best Cartier design.
Les Indomptables de Cartier Décor Watch is part of a 30-piece collection and was designed and created at the Cartier Metiers d’Arts Maison in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The Maison is a converted farmhouse with each floor dedicated to a different craft. The 28 craftsmen and women are spread across two open-air floors, with the jewelry-making on the first floor and enameling and marquetry on the second floor. Les Indomptables de Cartier Décor Watch is made on both of these floors with the gem-setting on the first and the enamel dial being made on the second floor. If you haven’t watched a gem-setting video yet, I highly recommend it, as it is extremely fascinating.
The case, which is the most technically interesting part of the watch, is 40 mm in diameter, made in 18k white gold, and is set with 212 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 2.67 cts. The case back is solid and the case is of a classic round design. Attached to the case, and draped over the crystal is a white gold and diamond-set panther, emerging from pierced foliage constructed of pink gold and more diamonds. This elegant objet is the removable brooch. The panther has pear-shaped, emerald-set eyes with black enamel filling in the nose and spots. The technique of setting the stones is all accomplished by hand. Each cavity is etched out by hand followed by the craftsmen placing each individual stone and pinching the edges to hold the stone in place.
The black enamel dial is painted carefully with purple and white enamel leaves and branches. This technique is created by enameling the dial with black enamel, firing, and then going back over the dial with white and purple enamel and creating the foliage motif. The dial is then fired again to complete the process.
The hands are set off-center, to create a smaller floating dial on the bottom right-hand quadrant of the dial, which allows for visibility when the panther brooch is attached. Additionally, the enamel dial is accented with a floral motif set with diamonds into the dial on the left-hand side of the dial, allowing for a more elaborate vision whilst the panther is no longer in place.
Overall, the amount of work and detail that is put into each individual jewelry piece made by Cartier is astounding.
