One of the nicest things that can happen to you if you’re into the history of watches and watch design (and aren’t we all) is getting to not just see, but actually handle, things that physically represent that history (one of the reasons vintage watches can be so attractive). Doing really strong designs for functional objects like watches is pretty tough though, and often you see decisions made that make it clear the designer or designers decided to prioritize either aesthetics or functionality, rather than combining the two. We were lucky enough recently to have two Cartier pocket watches in the office – separated in manufacturing dates by over six decades – that are not only pieces of history, but also objects that speak in a very interesting way to the problem of making beautiful, functional objects, and to the enduring nature of good design ideas. They also offer great perspective on when and how not just design, but also luxury itself, does and doesn’t work – and on the corny-sounding notion of chic, with which much of Cartier design can be associated.
Just Because: Très Chic – Two Spectacular Pocket Watches Spanning 65 Years Of Cartier Design
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