Watches And Wonders 2025: Cartier’s Tressage Exudes The Art Of Sculptural Timekeeping

At Watches & Wonders 2025, Cartier once again redefines the boundaries of watchmaking with the unveiling of the Tressage collection. True to the maison’s legacy of artistic craftsmanship, this timepiece transcends the conventional codes of horology, merging watchmaking expertise with high jewelry artistry. With its sculptural form, intricate goldwork, and dazzling gemstones, Tressage is not just a watch—it is a wearable masterpiece, a testament to Cartier’s relentless pursuit of creative excellence.

A Vision of Contrasts and Harmony

The Tressage watch draws inspiration from Cartier’s esteemed Maillon, Coussin, and Reflection collections, yet carves out its own identity with a striking interplay of form and texture. The timepiece features two elegantly twisted bands encircling a rectangular, diamond-paved dial. One side showcases the smooth, polished brilliance of yellow gold, while the other introduces a structured contrast with vertically brancarded edges. This juxtaposition of soft curves and defined lines creates a dynamic tension, an effect heightened by the shimmering leather strap that further extends the dialogue between materials.

For Cartier, creative freedom is paramount. Tressage is a study in bold contrasts—light against shadow, soft against structured, brilliance against restraint. The collection’s aesthetic compositions feature versions in yellow gold, white gold, and dazzling gem-set variations, including sapphires and diamonds in intricate snow-set arrangements. Each iteration is a sculptural expression of Cartier’s mastery, where high jewelry and fine watchmaking exist in seamless unison.

The Legacy of Jeanne Toussaint Lives On

The Tressage collection pays homage to Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s legendary creative director, who revolutionized the maison’s jewelry aesthetic in the 1930s. Toussaint’s influence was defined by her fearless approach to design, her ability to merge softness with strength, and her pioneering use of unconventional forms. The Tressage watch embodies her spirit, capturing her audacity in sculpting material into dynamic, fluid compositions.

Marie-Laure Cérède, Cartier’s Creative Director of Jewelry and Watchmaking, describes Tressage as a creation that transcends traditional watchmaking. "It is not simply a piece of jewelry that tells the time," she explains. "By exaggerating the brancards and sculpting the watch in volume, we have created a fusion of watchmaking and jewelry—a piece that exists in a category of its own."

An Ode to Craftsmanship

Each Tressage timepiece is a feat of meticulous craftsmanship. From the hand-set diamonds that adorn the dial to the exquisite finishing of the twisted goldwork, Cartier’s artisans have pushed the limits of traditional jewelry-making techniques to achieve a truly singular design. The integration of a quartz movement allows for a sleek, uninterrupted aesthetic, ensuring that the emphasis remains on the watch’s sculptural form.

With dimensions of 56.2 x 25.7 mm and a case thickness of 11.5 mm, the Tressage watch maintains a bold yet graceful profile. Water-resistant up to 30 meters, it is as resilient as it is luxurious—a perfect marriage of artistry and practicality.
Cartier reaffirms its position as a pioneer in both horology and high jewelry. The maison’s commitment to innovation is evident not only in the Tressage collection but across its entire showcase, which continues to explore new ways of interpreting time through artistic expression.