Inspired by traditional Thai-style house, famed jewellery brand Cartier honours its history and the elegance of French and Thai cultural heritage through its newly refurbished flagship boutique, located on the M floor of Siam Paragon.
Opened in 2006, this extensive renovation marks 115 years of relationship between Cartier and the Court of Siam by filling elements of Thai architecture to its 400m² space. Using glass, marble and gold-braided patterns, the façade is an interpretation of wall panels in traditional Thai houses and the wall of the welcoming area is adorned with bas-relief sculptures depicting the iconic landscape of temples in Bangkok, while its emblem "Panther" has made a journey to Thailand.
The boutique is also adorned with decorative pieces and paintings that allude to Thailand. For example, a chandelier gives a visual impression of falling raindrops, suggesting the tropical climate of Thailand where the monsoon season lasts as long as five months.
"This newly renovated boutique is a matrimony and a subtle blend between the richness of Thai culture and the Maison codes and aesthetics. Its brightness, use of beautiful curves and traditional crafts encrusted everywhere, make it unique and unprecedented. Light, transparency and luxurious materials create a serene, precious, elegant and warm environment that you will be enchanted to re-discover," said Cécile Naour, CEO of Cartier Southeast Asia and Oceania.
To celebrate its new look, the brand introduces Cartier Tank Asymétrique Siam Limited Edition, which is based on the Cartier Tank Asymétrique watch. It boasts a platinum case, ruby crown, Thai numerals, and engraving of the name "Siam" alongside individual numbers.
At the same time, a rectangular dial and an offset that shifts the right side up by 30 degrees, results in diamond-like lozenge with the number 12 shifted to the uppermost corner rightwards and number six down to the lowermost corner to leftwards. With second alligator-skin straps in Siamese Ruby colour, there are only 55 units available.
Until Nov 18, customers can enjoy a special exhibition of exceptional pieces from the Cartier Collection and Maison Cartier that were produced in its earlier years, timepieces and other precious accessories that were collected for conservation to highlight an evolution of decorative arts since the end of the 19th century.
The highlights include the Cartier necklace that King Chulalongkorn gifted to Queen Sri Bajrindra (Saovabha Phongsri) during his royal visit to Europe, Cartier diamond brooches in Garland Style, a jewellery collection of diamonds on platinum settings that resulted from Louis Cartier's pioneering use of platinum instead of silver due to its lustrous appeal and ability to bring out the true qualities of diamonds.
