Cartier Time Art Exhibition Singapore 2011

SJX's 2011 post announces a landmark Cartier exhibition in Singapore, the largest outside Switzerland at the time. This article offers a historical snapshot of Cartier's commitment to horology, showcasing a vast collection from 1850s chatelaine watches to the innovative ID One concept, making it a key resource for understanding the brand's heritage and future direction.

For the first time outside of Switzerland Cartier will showcase the largest exhibition of Cartier timepieces totalling 159 pieces in the world. Cartier Time Art opens in the Marina Bay Sands casino and resort on Dec 14 and will run until Feb 12, 2012.

Timepieces on display range from one of the first ever Cartier timepieces, a chatelaine watch from the 1850s, to Cartier's famous mystery clocks as well as contemporary creations like the lubricant-free ID One concept watch of 2010. The exhibition is designed by award winner Tokujin Yoshioka.

Model A Mystery clock in rock crystal

ID One

A quote from the press release which sums up the exhibition nicely: 

Mr Christopher Kilaniotis, Managing Director of Cartier Singapore states, “We are pleased that the first museum in Asia to host the “Cartier Time Art” exhibition is the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. It is an important exhibition, never seen before in Asia or, as a matter of fact, outside Switzerland. We are happy that the exhibition is held in a country famous for being a watch hub and within an iconic and new Singapore landmark.”

“What many people are not aware of is that Cartier always had watchmaking in the heart of its activities. Since the 19th century, Cartier has been creating horological marvels that became icons in the world of prestigious watchmaking.

Cartier Tortue repeater c. 1928 

What is special in regard to “Cartier Time Art” exhibition is that for the very first time we have the largest collection of historical and contemporary Cartier marvels in one wonderful location, with the exhibition design orchestrated by a well-known artist and authority of exhibition design.

Tokujin Yoshioka

The creativity and stories behind the timepieces on display is fascinating, with the exhibition including a number of individual creations, but also a unique concept watch, the Cartier ID One, which is a foray into the future direction of watchmaking,” he added.

The exhibit is open from 10 am - 10 pm daily with the last entry at 9 pm. Marina Bay Sands charges an entry fee (fee schedule here) for the exhibition and tickets can be bought on its website or at the museum box office.

- SJX