Cartier bets on palladium in the design of handbag elements and it’s legendary watches in recent collections

Luxury goods manufacturer Cartier has shifted towards the use of palladium in a number of its recent ranges, incorporating the unique metal in everything from straps on handbags, clasps, removable mirrors to finishes on watches. The move comes at a time when palladium is making headlines around the world, with research underway on innovative applications across a wide range of industrial sectors.

The retailer’s autumn/winter 2022 collection saw the launch of the brand’s new range of Panthère de Cartier small clutch leather bags, in a promotion modelled by actress Lily Collins, best known for her starring role in fashion comedy drama Emily in Paris. The bags are adorned with a panther head clasp along with Cartier’s classic faceted link chain straps, which are finished in either gold or palladium. Also available in the range is a series of credit card holders of different sizes.

Another high-profile celebrity endorsement for Cartier came in 2024, when Taylor Swift gifted luxury goodie bags to 30 of her team members, including advisers, assistants, agents and managers. Worth an estimated $5,300 each, the women on the team received the very same Panthère de Cartier bags, as well as Cartier d’Amour necklaces and Louis Vuitton handbags.

While these A-list endorsements of luxury products that use palladium as a key part of their craftsmanship is a boost for the profile of the precious metal, this is by no means Cartier’s first foray into palladium. For some time now, the company has been using palladium as the case material for its Santos wristwatch range. The iconic square design first appeared in 1904, and traditionally uses gold and steel as its base frame metals. A recent Santos auction of a palladium edition was described by prestigious auctioneer Christie’s as opting for “a rare and unusual material of choice”. That timepiece would go on to sell for over $17,000 – for comparison, Santos retail prices currently start at $4,800.

Also in the Santos family, Cartier has for some years been producing a line of cufflinks noted for their palladium finish, while one of its oldest product ranges to use palladium is its cigarette lighters. These luxury gas-powered lighters have been produced by the company for decades, and are still being made today.

Palladium has important applications in many different industries, from electronics, healthcare and dentistry to transportation and aerospace. Its silvery-white colour and good resistance to scratching make it a highly sought-after metal for jewellers. Palladium white gold is lighter and more scratch resistant than platinum white gold, making it an excellent choice for earrings and especially wedding rings.

The most important use for palladium in recent years has been in catalytic converters for vehicles using internal combustion engines – primarily those running on conventional fuels.The palladium chain is likely to see significant diversification in the coming years and decades, with researchers developing numerous palladium applications in transportation and the green energy transition, from hydrogen fuel cell technology to water purification and photovoltaic solar panels. Renewed interest in palladium as a material for jewellery and luxury accessories could also become an important alternative for industrial applications of precious metal. After all, glamour and luxury are always going to be in vogue.

Source:

https://perezhilton.com/taylor-swift-gifted-team-luxe-items-grammys-win/
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3196229/3-super-stylish-new-luxury-accessories-autumn/winter-2022
https://www.chrono24.com.ru/cartier/santos-100—mod176-cm14.htm