Since its inception in 1847 Cartier has been synonymous with High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking. While the panther has a been an established design motif in a lot of Cartier’s jewellery and watches, the tiger too has figured as an emblematic feline among Cartier’s bestiary.

It was featured on a brooch in 1929 and was part of the Great Cats Jewels collection forever associated with Cartier’s director of haute joaillerie Jeanne Toussaint. The tiger motif was also a favourite of American heiress and socialite Barbara Hutton who also commissioned Cartier to create a three-dimensional clip brooch set in diamonds, carved onyx with yellow diamond strips in 1958.

According to Cartier, the present Imperial Tiger cuff watch was produced in 2018 and stands in testimony to Cartier’s mastery of high-jewellery watches. The tiger’s portrait on the entire surface of the cuff is rendered in a masterful paved arrangement of coloured diamonds interspersed with lashes of black lacquer to represent the tiger stripes. A total of 1,541 brilliant-cut diamonds (for a total of approx. 27.7 carat) feature on this cuff. The overall result is extremely impressive and the dazzling feline portrait on the bracelet is really brought to life by the exceptional gem-setting.

A stunning example of Cartier's Métiers d'art talent and capability, this extremely object combines high-jewellery and fine watchmaking and sshould appeal to connoisseurs and fans of the majestic feline.