Watch Watching with Josh Nigut – Cartier

We are excited to introduce guest blogger Josh Nigut – Josh is an excellent source of knowledge in the area of fine timepieces. Please check back for more posts from Josh and feel free to chat with him by commenting below. This post is particularly special  – Introducing Cartier’s Fine Watchmaking Collection. This collection will be on display in Hyde Park’s Denver location October 21-October 28.
Greetings, my name is Josh Nigut, and I have been in the watch and jewelry industry for over 7 years and have developed a true passion for all things horology.

In 2008 and 2009 there was a drastic change in the luxury timepiece market.  Over the past year, the market has slowly been making its way back to where it once thrived. During this economic downturn, it would be difficult not to take notice of the return of the Manufacture Movement. I was recently invited by Cartier to La Chaux De Fonds, Switzerland to attend a training seminar on their fine watch making and tour their manufacturing headquarters. When I initially heard about Cartier jumping into the Haute Horology field, I was very skeptical.  Cartier to me was a brand that focused on unique aesthetic design, and utilized its very large network to farm out movements and parts needed to complete the watches.  I never thought that the brand would want to venture into high watch making.

After spending a few days in Switzerland, I have all the confidence in the world that Cartier has taken the proper steps to legitimize themselves in this field.  Cartier is a true Manufacture, making over 75% of their Haute Horology timepieces in house.  Seeing different stations where they produce their components and then viewing their assembly lines was breathtaking.

The heart and soul of Cartier’s new watch developments is what they call their “think tank”. It is a 3,000 square meter section at the manufacture which is dedicated to 25 engineers and their vision and developments of Cartier’s cutting edge movements. With the introduction of the ID One watch, it has allowed us to see the possible future of watch making with advancements in production methods, designs, and the materials.

When choosing Cartier, you are buying into the best of three worlds, their unique and cutting edge aesthetic appeals, brand name recognition, and fine watch making executions. Cartier has rich history in jewelry and timepieces, as well as paving the way for a very bright future ahead. After my time in La Chaux De Fonds, Cartier has showed me how the King of jewelers can become the prince of fine watchmakers.

Please join me next time as I take an in-depth look at Chopard and their LUC collection.

Josh Nigut
Hyde Park Jewelers
jnigut@hpjewels.com
303.333.4446 ext.7729