Writing by AVANTELIER, Photo & Video by AVANTELIER
This autumn, the V&A South Kensington presents one of the most dazzling exhibitions of the year: Cartier. Closing on 16 November 2025, the show gathers more than 350 breathtaking jewels, watches, and objets d’art from one of the world’s most celebrated maisons.
Founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier in Paris, the maison quickly rose from a family workshop to international acclaim. By the early 20th century, with branches in Paris, London, and New York, Cartier became known as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.” From royalty and aristocracy to modern icons of film, music, and fashion, Cartier’s creations have symbolised taste, elegance, and daring design for over 175 years.
Cartier Exhibition
Location: V&A Museum, South Kensington, London
Dates: Open now – Sunday, 16 November 2025
Details: Explore over 350 iconic Cartier jewels and watches, tracing the Maison’s history, craftsmanship, and global influence from 1847 to the present.
A Journey Through Creativity
The first galleries celebrate the birth of the Cartier style, from 18th-century French inspirations to the global influences of India and the Islamic world. Here you’ll find historic treasures such as Queen Elizabeth II’s Williamson Diamond brooch, Princess Margaret’s beloved rose clip, and the Maharaja of Patiala’s extraordinary ceremonial necklace—pieces that embody Cartier’s genius for blending tradition with modernity.
To get a closer look at Cartier’s design evolution, watch senior curator Helen Molesworth unbox three Cartier red leather cases, each revealing spectacular diamond jewels that tell a story of 20th-century luxury and global influence: Watch here.
Gems, Mastery, and Technical Brilliance
The exhibition then turns to the art of materials and craftsmanship. Highlights include Barbara Hutton’s jade necklace, the vivid yellow 101-carat Allnatt diamond brooch, and María Félix’s famous snake necklace—alive with movement and character. For watch lovers, Cartier’s Santos (1904) and the rebellious Crash (1967) mark milestones in horological history, while the maison’s legendary mystery clocks continue to enchant with their magical floating hands.
For an intimate glimpse, curator Helen Molesworth also examines a sparkling Cartier diamond brooch from 1910. With over 100 diamonds and bold Art Deco tendencies ahead of its time, the piece shows Cartier’s flair for combining modernity, elegance, and refinement: Watch here.
Reinvention and Iconic Style
The final section showcases Cartier’s mastery of image-making—from dazzling displays at the 1925 Paris Exposition to the embrace of modern cultural icons. Tiaras crown the finale: from the ethereal Opal Tiara to the Garland Style Scroll Tiara, even worn by Rihanna in 2016, these creations embody glamour, artistry, and timeless allure.
The Verdict
With so many jewels, watches, and objets d’art, this exhibition deserves at least two hours to explore in full. While the curation is elegantly straightforward—without unnecessary theatricality—it allows the pieces themselves to shine. Each case feels like a window into Cartier’s legacy of beauty, innovation, and artistry.
For jewellery lovers, this is more than an exhibition: it’s an immersion into the brilliance of a maison that has shaped the way we imagine luxury itself.
References
+Cartier/ V&A
https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/cartier#articles
+ Filigree Jewelers – A Brief History of Cartier’s Iconic Watch Designs
https://filigreejewelers.com/blogs/articles/a-brief-history-of-cartiers-iconic-watch-designs
+ Le Monde – The Wild Years of the Fondation Cartier
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2024/10/28/the-wild-years-of-the-fondation-cartier-a-private-patronage-pioneer_6730753_30.html
+ Jewels in Time – A Legacy of Luxury and Innovation: The Cartier Timeline
https://www.jewelsintime.com/a-legacy-of-luxury-and-innovation-the-cartier-timeline
