The entire development department, comprising technical development, R&D and the others mentioned below, are collectively known as the Think Tank (yes, it’s a pun on the that Cartier watch), and is situated in one wing of the manufacture across four floors.
The workflow begins at the top-most floor. Once a week, Cartier’s brain trust, known internally as the Studio, gathers here to brainstorm and discuss ideas. Everyone is represented at such meetings; staff from marketing, design and technical development are part of the Studio.
Entry to the studio...
The Studio is a comfortable place
At the Studio, new ideas are proposed and existing ideas are evaluated. Prototypes, mock-ups, drawings are put forward. No detail is overlooked; even new strap materials and styles are part of the discussion. Though the Cartier gets its straps from suppliers like Hirsch and Camille Fournet, straps for prototypes are made in the manufacture.
Above: Case and bracelet mock-ups
Above: Early drawings for the Roadster
Swatches for hides and sample straps
Adjacent to the Studio is Technical Development and across from it – in between are a series of glass-walled meeting rooms – the R&D team. The names of the departments make it pretty obvious what happens here.
Below: Technical development
The team here were all working on top secret projects but the moment I took out my camera everyone was working on watches already completed.
The extremely talented Carole Forestier is the head of this area and her notebooks are the key of all of its secrets.
Early sketches for Santos Triple 100 (above) and Astrotourbillon (below)
No photos of the R&D area are available except this one taken from a long, long way away. I heard a rumour the people there are working on the ID Two. Who knows?
click here for Part II.
This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-08 07:45:52