Cartier, widely celebrated as the Watchmaker of Shapes, is proud to announce the opening of its new shop-in-shop at The Hour Glass, set within the historic Raffles Singapore, further strengthening the Maison’s presence in one of Asia’s most important luxury markets.
Located within the iconic Raffles Hotel Arcade, the new space offers an intimate environment dedicated to Cartier’s watchmaking creations, bringing together the Maison’s renowned savoir-faire and The Hour Glass’s expertise in fine watch retail. The opening underscores a longstanding decades-long partnership built on a shared commitment to craftsmanship, heritage and exceptional client experiences.
The new shop-in-shop reflects Cartier’s continued investment in the city-state as a regional luxury destination, with Raffles Singapore evolving into a destination for discerning watch collectors and connoisseurs, as it houses some of the world’s most prestigious watch maisons.
A Tribute to Singapore’s Heritage
Situated within the verdant surroundings of Raffles Singapore, the shop-in-shop reflects the Maison’s dialogue with nature. In the new space, Cartier finds an inviting setting that harmoniously brings together heritage and craftsmanship, while paying tribute to tropical flora and fauna in its interiors. A colonial chandelier, inspired by the hotel’s architecture, sits as a centrepiece which melds classic elegance with the location’s rich history. The Panther, Cartier’s most iconic emblem, is seamlessly incorporated into the tropical foliage prints on the main counter feature wall, welcoming guests as they enter the space.
Shop-in-shop Highlights
As the Watchmaker of Shapes, Master of Crafts, Cartier has long reinvented watches keeping both design aesthetics and mechanical qualities at the heart of its creations. Square, curved, rectangular, or oval. From the most essential to the most expressive, the shapes of Cartier watches all require bespoke craftsmanship adapted to their singular designs.
One such key piece is the new Santos-Dumont bracelet, navigating fluidity and function. Inspired by the flexibility of the first made-to-measure metal watch bracelets developed by the Maison back in the 1920s, the yellow gold bracelet of this new Santos-Dumont watch unfolds with infinite delicacy against the skin. This silky-smooth feel is achieved by the refinement of the 1.15 mm-thick links that form the mesh, which is composed of 15 rows for a total of 394 links. All of these elements are machined, finished and assembled at the Manufacture and then each piece of the polished bracelet is attached to the case and clasp. Equipped with the 430 MC hand-wound mechanical manufacture movement, this version of the Santos-Dumont watch comes in two other LM-size models with silvered satin-finish dials with sunray effect, one in yellow gold and the other in platinum. The Santos-Dumont range has also been refreshed with the launch of two new LM-size watches in yellow gold and gold and steel.
Another key creation is the Tortue watch. Since its launch in 1912, the Tortue has occupied a special place in Cartier’s watchmaking repertoire. It is one of the Maison’s most iconic shaped watches, born of the desire to create a dialogue between curves and rigid lines. Today, the Tortue watch is reimagined by the design studio, to feature new volumes and proportions that are rounder and more generous. The lines are softened, to the point of feeling fully rounded to the touch for greater tactility and smoothness. There are five new versions available in combinations of polished yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and diamond-set. These delicate and strikingly elegant watches are available in small and mini models.
“As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Raffles Singapore embodies the timeless elegance and rich heritage that resonates deeply with Cartier. This new shop-in-shop is a celebration of our enduring relationship with Singapore and our shared appreciation for heritage, craftsmanship and the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. Our partnership with The Hour Glass and the opening at Raffles Singapore reinforce Cartier’s commitment to Singapore as a leading destination for haute horlogerie. In a city celebrated for its vibrant tropical landscape and rich cultural heritage, we are proud to offer collectors and clients an intimate setting that reflects the Maison’s savoir-faire and fascination with the beauty of flora and fauna,” says Yanina Novitskaya, CEO Cartier South East Asia and Oceania.
“Few makers have shaped the way the world understands watches and jewellery the way Cartier has. The Hour Glass Raffles Singapore is one of a handful of addresses in Singapore that could carry that history. The boutique takes its cues from the landscape outside its doors. The tropical flora of the region, its verdant layers and organic textures, informs how the space was conceived and how it feels to move through it,” says Michael Tay, Group Managing Director, The Hour Glass.
