It takes a certain confidence for a luxury brand to offer a timepiece from decades ago.
But with a legacy like Cartier’s, built on watches like the Tank and the Tonneau, that confidence comes easily. Especially now that the value of these classic creations have only increased as more customers fall sway to the allure of secondhand luxury. In times of uncertainty, Cartier watches sure make worthy investments.
And so, with perfect timing, Cartier Vintage arrives in Singapore. It’s a special collection of vintage Cartier watches, including the Tank, the Tonneau and the Pasha de Cartier, that date as far back as the 1970s and have been newly restored by the French brand.
Previously, these rare pieces were only available at Cartier’s New Bond Street flagship in London and Paris boutique on Faubourg Saint-Honoré. (The two Cartier stores have a rich history of shaped watchmaking creations.) Now, Cartier’s flagship in ION Orchard will be the first in Asia to offer these vintage treasures. Singapore, according to Cartier, is home to many watchmaking enthusiasts with “a strong affinity towards watchmaking creations ranging from modern to vintage.”
These connoisseurs will certainly appreciate the painstaking process of putting the Cartier Vintage collection together. Each piece is carefully sourced at watch fairs, auctions and specialised retailers by Cartier experts. Upon acquiring them, Cartier puts these designs through a thorough restoration process that calls upon the Maison’s finest craftsmen. Every component of these watches is made to look and work as good as new.
The best part? Cartier also offers an eight-year warranty through Cartier Care, a new certificate that, along with Cartier’s iconic red box, verifies the authenticity of your purchase. That way, customers can shop with a peace of mind — something that you can’t always enjoy when diving into the vintage market.
It’s certainly a lot of effort to put into some old pieces, but Cartier has always treasured its timeless creations. Take, for example, its Cartier Tradition collection, which consists of restored jewellery and watch creations made before the 1970s (and therefore considered antiques).
There may be a growing enthusiasm for vintage luxury pieces today, but by being one of the only luxury brands to offer a collection like Cartier Vintage, the Maison is simply keeping up its own traditions. Their restored watches will certainly be a delight for anyone who appreciates design and craftsmanship, and you can expect to see more in the years to come.
Header photo credit: Cartier
Pameyla Cambe
Senior Writer
Pameyla Cambe is a fashion and jewellery writer who believes that style and substance shouldn't be mutually exclusive. She makes sense of the world through Gothic novels, horror films and music. Lots of music.
