Cartier Contemporary Diamond Pave Articulated Link Bracelet

Louis Cartier (1875-1942), designer, watchmaker, and grandson of Louis-François Cartier (1819-1904), who founded the Maison in 1847, was undoubtedly ahead of his time. His ingenious designs sparked the outstanding success of Cartier. Not only did he popularize the wristwatch over the traditional pocket watch and debut the now-iconic Tank Watch in 1917, but in Paris at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes, his vision of jewelry designs governed by purity of line and precision of proportions would come to be directional and dictate many of the trends of the Art Deco period. This Cartier Vintage Diamond Articulated Link Bracelet, made in France in the 21st century, circa 2000s, pays homage to the original Art Deco-era creations of the Maison. Updated in 18K white gold, the opulent 6.5 long (16.51 cm) bracelet is set with 442 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing an estimated 15.30 carats total of F-G color and VVS-VS clarity. The bracelet is Signed Cartier and stamped with a serial number to be provided to potential buyers. A matching Cartier Vintage Diamond Articulated Link Necklace is available and sold separately at the time of this writing.

Myriad styles and motifs characterize Cartier Art Deco jewelry, namely abstract designs, repeating geometric shapes, and formal details inspired by art from China, Egypt, and India. This bracelet is inspired by the former category—stark, abstract, and opulent. Bracelets like these would have been worn boldly with several sparkling styles on one or both wrists. The simplicity of the design is breathtaking. At first glance, it looks like three rows of staggered repeating rectilinear forms paved with diamonds that flow around the wrist, uninterrupted by a hidden push-clasp.
On the other hand, the design looks like open rectangular links coupled together. The center row is plump, sitting up higher than the outer two. The bold silhouette has a presence. It is almost masculine, which is in line with the aesthetic for women in the 1920s, when they daringly donned male attire, bestowing them with the feeling of empowerment and with the aim of compelling society to re-evaluate their status.

The bracelet is certainly more Machine Age-inspired, like a modern metal watchband. The Tank Bracelet—not to be confused with the Cartier Tank Watch, whose rectilinear face was also modeled on a WWI tank—was a style of articulated link bracelet much like this, popularly worn throughout the 1920s and 1930s and again during WWII in the 1940s. The link configuration takes inspiration from the continuous track, the propulsion system for an Army tank. The way superlative quality tank bracelets like these are crafted is quite a mystery because no pins are visible, allowing the design to appear seamless and breathtakingly fluid.

Measures approx. 6.5” in length. Four hundred forty-two round brilliant diamonds weighing 15.30 carats total, estimated F-G colors, VVS-VS clarity. Overall weight approx. 42.36 grams, made in 18k white gold. Signed Cartier France; circa 2000s.

SKU :B1198
Category :BRACELETS
Metal :18KWG

Cartier

18K White Gold

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