Cartier Revisits Its Most Innovative Watch Designs in a Timely Miami Pop-Up Exhibition

The Design District show “Time Unlimited” showcases the luxury watchmakers peak moments, such as the iconic Crash timepiece.

The exterior of Cartier's "Time Unlimited" exhibition in Miami's Design District. Courtesy of Cartier.

One thing that is always striking upon touchdown in Miami is the completely different perception of time than that in rapid-fire New York. Miami is a state of mind, a way of life, and a certain pace of moving in the world.

Fittingly then, a new exhibition from Cartier “Time Unlimited” opens tomorrow, December 7, and runs through December 22. On the eve of the opening, a Miami Art Week fete will toast the show and its Design District pop-up space.

Panthere de Cartier, Tank Francaise, and Clash [Un]Limited. Courtesy of Cartier.

Panthere de Cartier, Tank Francaise, and Clash [Un]Limited. Courtesy of Cartier.

The show is the perfect luxury jaunt for both the jetlagged jet-set of European and Asian art collectors, stateside watch aficionados, or just anyone who appreciates peak design from a storied heritage house. It includes the Maison’s most iconic timepieces, such as the Santos de Cartier, Baignoire, Panthère de Cartier, Ballon Bleu, and Tank. The ever-trending Crash (originally produced in 1967), which inspired the exhibition logo, seems to reference Salvador Dalí’s famous melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory—fabulously. But the show isn’t just an exploration of glamor and wrist glitz; it’s a study and celebration of the art and intricacies of watchmaking.

The Technique Serves Beauty section of the "Time Unlimited" exhibition. Courtesy of Cartier.

The Technique Serves Beauty section of the “Time Unlimited” exhibition. Courtesy of Cartier.

The show is divided into themes including Watchmaker of Shapes, Pioneering Spirit, Culture of Design, and Technique Serves Beauty. A film component, Time Project, produced in collaboration with Cartier Global ambassador Jake Gyllenhaal will also be screened.

The Los Angeles-based design studio Perron-Roettinger was tapped for the exhibition scenography and art direction. “Everything is based on the forms of the watches themselves and the materiality of the watches,” said the firm’s partner Willo Perron. “The whole concept for the exhibition is about celebrating the iconic shapes that Cartier has created.”

“This installation captures Cartier’s endless quest for designing creations that link well-balanced beauty, rigorous technical expertise, and Maison’s rich heritage,” said Walter Bolognino, President & CEO of Cartier North America. “We’re delighted to mark the North American debut of ‘Time Unlimited’ in the vibrant Miami community.”

Cartier’s “Time Unlimited” exhibition runs from December 7– December 22 at 45 NE 41st, Miami.


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