A visit to Beijing really showcases a balance between grandeur and order. A place where the quiet geometry of courtyards meets the wide sweep of imperial avenues. In Beijing, harmony is not merely a principle but a lived experience; the measured cadence of morning tai chi in temple parks, the careful choreography of traffic flowing around old hutong lanes, the dialogue between tradition and ambition everywhere you look.
It made perfect sense then for Cartier, a Maison where the notion of equilibrium and balance is at its founding heart, to unveil a new chapter of its High Jewellery collection, En Équilibre, in this city. Earlier this month, monied clientele and world press arrived in perfectly timed black cars at the ZGC International Innovation Centre. Here, red-suited bell boys with white gloves motioned the pathway for guests. Inside, dancers performed atop three-storey poles, swinging as fluidly as the Champagne guests were swirling. Dinner was superb: King Crab A La ‘Waldorf’ with Caviar to start. Poached Atlantic salmon in a bisque, and tiny slices of beef with Yunnan black truffle crust followed, before a roasted rice gelato with avocado, mango and mint as dessert.
In between courses, international supermodels Wang Wenqin, Pei Bei, Zhao Lei and Jin Dachuan perused about the room wearing pieces from the En Équilibre collection. A vibrant and opulent ode to the glimmering geometries of the world, the light catching almost every piece. Perhaps the beauty of the pieces—their grandeur, their order—was felt more deeply because we were in Beijing?
“What a better place to celebrate our new High Jewellery collection than this innovation centre here where modernity, architecture and creativity join together in perfect harmony,” Jacqueline Karachi, Cartier’s Director Of High Jewellery Creation said.
“The notion of equilibrium and balance is at the founding heart of Maison Cartier.”
Jacqueline Karachi, Cartier’s Director Of High Jewellery Creation
“Maison Cartier always balances the Cartier style,” she continued. “From sophisticated simplicity to utter opulence. From symmetry to asymmetry. From the subtle nuances to the most powerful accords. This is always done in harmony [and] at the service of the stone to reveal all its beauty.”
The evening culminated in a captivating performance by renowned Chinese singer Na Ying, bringing the celebration to its grand finale.
The gala heralded the opening of Cartier’s En Équilibre exhibition at the Aman Summer Palace Hotel. Following its Stockholm debut, 480 creations spanning the new high jewellery collection, fine watchmaking, high jewellery watches, and Cartier Tradition are spectacularly displayed at the property. Split into three almost chapters —Colour Fusion, Geometric Rhythm, and Light and Structure—the showcase in Beijing highlights the timeless beauty of harmony deeply rooted in Cartier’s heritage.
Take a look at some highlights of the gala and exhibition below.
