Watch it!

Jewellers and watchmakers come out with new lines all the time, promising to revolutionise the world of jewellery or watch making. But it's the same story most of the time, the same design but in a different package and colour.

Step ahead

However, the house of Cartier has certainly gone a step further with its new collection of watches. While their new Ballon Bleu collection does not have any new features, they have gone a step further in the design and marketing its futuristic concept.

Cartier bought together seven comic book authors and artists from various nationalities to create a story based on the new Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.

Futuristic

The watch is also a fusion of classic Cartier with a futuristic touch. As with most of Cartier's collection, there is the element of originality and uniqueness. This time it is in the watch's "new concept of roundness", as managing director Patrick Normand puts it as well as its futuristic element highlighted by the comic book.

Comic touch

"The Ballon Bleu is a contemporary new watch. We wanted to give the watch something different and dreamlike so we asked seven very famous comic book artists to write the history of the Ballon Bleu according to their imagination. Each writer picks up the story where the previous one has left it," says Patrick Normand.

What's new about the watch? "It's the new and simple interpretation of "round". It is round from every side and smooth to touch...it feels like a talisman that brings luck when you touch it."

The watch's winder is also special. It is decorated with a sapphire cabochon, around which the dial orbits.
While trying to create a new and futuristic image, Cartier preserves its originality.

"The watch's Roman numerals, the hands, and its railway track (the way the minutes are dotted all around) are classic Cartier," says Normand.

Cartier watches are available in all Cartier's branches across the UAE.

Big and small

A small golden steel watch is Dh17,000 and a large white diamond watch is Dh177,000. The watch comes in three sizes — small, medium and large and three different colours — yellow, pink and white.