Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch. Part of Les Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier’s amazingly fresh and interesting jewellery watch collection. Photo: © Cartier
The Heures Fabuleuses de Cartier jewellery watch collection comprises 41 pieces described by the brand as “a spirited bestiary” with “secrets and tricks”.
One fine example being the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch (the indomitable frog watch) we had mentioned earlier in the article “Tiancheng International and the seeds of love”. Now what are its secret and tricks?
Well, Les Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch features the amphibian sitting on a floating lotus leaf in what is seen as a pond underneath that is tastefully created through miniature enamelled paintings on an 18K gold dial.
The sculpture of the frog, lotus flowers and leaves is “floating” as it is positioned above the sapphire crystal of the watch. This piece is therefore seen more for its jewellery make-up comprising moonstones, sapphires and brilliant-cut diamonds, not to mention the emeralds representing the eyes of the frog.
Powered by a quartz watch movement, time is told by the hour and minute hands discreetly found between the one and two o’clock positions.
The trick is that the miniature frog sculpture can actually be lifted off to reveal more of the dial underneath which offers a similar and flatter representation of what has been taken off sans the frog (which has perhaps “jumped off for a swim”?). Take note of the positions of the lotus flowers and leaves before and after the frog sculpture was removed.
With the frog off, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch appears as a very different wristwatch. Photo: © Cartier
This is truly a piece to appreciate and enjoy. Somehow, the look brings to mind “what if” and perhaps far-fetched possibilities with the incredible three-dimensional fish art sculptures of Riusuke Fukahori, especially if such incredible works of art by this Japanese artist can be miniaturised and created on watch dials.
For this Indomptables de Cartier timepiece, the brand says it is part of “a collection that proclaims, like a surrealist manifesto: “This is not a watch”.”
This is because of its secret – the frog with lotus flowers and leaves sculpture is actually a brooch.
The brooch of the Indomptables de Cartier Frog is definitely not a watch but it can be part of one. Photo: © Cartier
This is an excellent idea for ladies as they can have a two-in-one jewellery piece. With such dual functionality, the reasoning for obtaining such an item, especially for the well-heeled, can easily become “a must-have” rather than a “good-to-have”.
This is not a watch? Well, yes, when the brooch is used on its own and it depends on how one views the piece when it is attached to the watch. Whether it is a watch or isn’t, the Indomptables de Cartier Frog watch is definitely well worth watching.
Links to other timewerke.com articles related to Cartier which may be of interest:
i. Tiancheng International and the seeds of love
ii. Spot on: The power of the colour orange
iii. Cartier highly popular as a jewellery and watch brand in China