INTRODUCTION

At the heart of the Maison's heritage policy since 1989, the Cartier Collection has benefitted from a level of exposure that reflects its historical and stylistic importance.

This collection has been displayed in major retrospectives at internationally renowned museums, such as the Petit Palais in Paris, the Museum of Hermitage in St Petersbourg, the Metropolitan Teien Art Museum in Tokyo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London, the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico, the National Museum in Shanghai, the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, the Kremlin Museum in Moscow, the Deoksugung Museum in Seoul and more recently, the National Museum of Tokyo, the Palace Museum inside the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco...

The Cartier Collection includes more than 1360 pieces illustrating the changes in design styles and techniques in Cartier's creations.

Catalogued using Cartier's own archive documents, it includes exceptional jewellery-sets, as well as an outstanding collection of tiaras.

In addition to classical or precious watches, there are masterpieces of horology, such as the "mystery" clocks with their hands floating within a crystal and no visible connection to the hidden movement.

Other more unusual objects and accessories complete the Collection: ladies' accessories such as the vanity cases, precious boxes, writing instruments, cigarette cases in addition to other accessories for men...

Each one of these pieces, purchased by Cartier from private individuals or at public sales, has its own history and brings to life various periods, as well as the illustrious people who owned or commissioned them. They bear witness to a society undergoing constant change.