With its strong curiosity about the world and its wonders, this year Cartier has developed a passion for a goldsmith’s technique born in the cradle of civilisation: granulation. The reinterpretation of this millennia-old artistic craft is part of a desire to bring rare, sometimes forgotten crafts back to life, which Cartier adapts and renders even more beautiful.

Dial from the Rotonde de Cartier Panther Granulation in Process © Cartier

With granulation, Cartier d’Art takes a fresh look at a precious technique that dates from the first half of the 3rd millennium B.C. This highly sophisticated aesthetic reached its peak during the first millennium in Etruria with the famous period objects in “Etruscan granulation”.

A Cartier Artisan Working on the Panther with Granulation Dial © Cartier

A veritable seedbed of gold granules, the granulation technique consists of creating small balls from threads of gold that are cut and then heated over a flame. The gold granules are then assembled one by one and fused with the gold plate in order to create the sensual relief of the motif.

Rotonde de Cartier 42 mm watch, Panther, Granulation © Cartier

The result is captivating: a magnetic, radiant panther head gleams on the watch dial... A fine example of age-old craftsmanship that has been passed down the ages, the cat appears to defy the passing of time, bearing a secret of which Cartier has become the guardian.

The Rotonde de Cartier 42 mm watch, panther, granulation comes in a limited series of 20 numbered pieces.

Source: Cartier

Photos: Fabien Sarazin © Cartier 2012