At the end of Watches & Wonders, Haute Time talked with Arnaud Carrez, Cartier's International Director of Marketing & Communications, regarding what it is like to have a major watch fair going digital, and how the latest Cartier models came about.

In watchmaking, a millimeter more or less can make all the difference. This year, Cartier is launching the Ballon Bleu in a new 40mm large case. With this, 'La Maison' keeps the watch in line with current trends and on point in terms of design. Initially launched in 2007 has the Ballon Bleu quickly become one of the best-selling models of Cartier, and one of the pillars of the brand's watchmaking collection. Thanks to its pebble-shaped case, is it one of the most comfortable watches to wear, while its crown guard gives it a unique appearance.

Despite the pandemic, many brands did not hold back when it came to releasing new models. What usually would be launched at one of the fairs or during a special event was now presented by Zoom- and Skype-meetings. Fortunately, this doesn't make the watches any less impressive, as the following five prove;

Owning a rare watch of exquisite quality is one of life's true pleasures. Most of these watches have been made by brands with a history spanning decades, if not centuries. This gives it quite a bit of pedigree, but if the previous owner of such a watch was also a well-known celebrity, its appeal increases on all levels.

The Santos de Cartier Chronograph can best be described as dynamic elegance. Its sense of refinement comes from the iconic case and its distinct bezel, which now extends to where the bracelet or strap begins, one of the hallmarks of the in 2018 redesigned collection. While it maintains the recognizable profile of the Santos, it also provides it with a fresh look. The chronograph version is visually more dynamic than its time-only sibling. This is in part due to the subdials, which Cartier spaced out perfectly. The dial features the signature Roman numerals, along with a partial railroad track along the outer perimeter, marking the hours and minutes.

As a jeweler, does Cartier know everything there is to know about diamonds. 'La Maison' plays an integral part in the history of many iconic diamonds, including the famous 45.52 carats large Hope diamond, which can be admired in the Smithsonian Institution. Also, in their collection of jewelry and watches have diamonds always enjoyed a prominent place. In nearly all cases, they have a static role being set in rings or bracelets or adorning the cases and bezels of watches. The Cartier Révélation d'Une Panthère is, in that matter unique, as here the diamonds play a more active role in dazzling you.

The history of Cartier is filled with many incredible watches, often in unique shapes. Over the years, many have become icons of 'La Maison' and gathered quite a few fans along the way. Others remain somewhat of a mystery, as they are so rare that they hardly ever come up for sale, and are often not more than a footnote in most books. This is also the case with the Tank à Guichets, with its novel way of indicating the time.

Ever since its creation in 1985 has the Pasha de Cartier been the watch of people who enjoy style with a unique twist. While in essence, it is just a round watch, it was famed watch designer Gerald Genta who made it more, by adding the typical Vendome-lugs and canteen crown. It made the Pasha de Cartier the watch to have in the 1980s, a success which Cartier perpetuated well into the new millennium. What made the Pasha even more special is that it is a watch that was embraced by a very diverse and international clientele. For the launch of the new generation of the Pasha, Cartier is joined by a very talented group of artists who have each made their mark in different ways. Rami Malek, Troye Sivan, Willow Smith, Maisie Williams, and Jackson Wang are all at the top of their field, where they stand out by their professionalism but also by not conform or restrain their creativity by traditional standards, very much like the Pasha.

The meteorological summer has begun, so it is officially time to take in again the joys that this season has to offer. Short sleeves are more often than not, what we wear during this time of year, putting more of an emphasis on the watches that we are wearing. Here are four sports watches that are perfect for welcoming the warmest season of the year.

At Watches & Wonders, Cartier surprised us with not only the return of the Pasha but also with a mechanical version of the Santos Dumont. Time to discuss these new additions, and more, with Arnaud Carrez, Marketing and Communications Director at Cartier International.

2020 marks the return of the Pasha de Cartier, which also happens to celebrate its 35th birthday. The watch was initially launched in 1985 and one of the great successes of the brand. It was created by Gerald Genta, who cleverly combined the Vendome-lugs, designed and patented by Louis Cartier in 1934, with a round case and a prominent canteen-crown. It resulted in a very expressive watch that today hasn't lost any of its appeal.

While a tourbillon is, in general, a complication that will put most watch connoisseurs in awe, there is quite a difference among them. The most traditional ones feature a bridge on both sides, in between which they do their mesmerizing dance. A flying tourbillon lacks the front bridge, which allows you to see more of the intricate parts that make a tourbillon work. As the tourbillon is such a popular complication, many brands have made it a focal point for their technical creativity, which has resulted in watches that truly take your breath away.

Staying power is something that every watch brand hopes for when they launch a new model. Achieving this is far more complicated than it might seem at first. Many new models will be tweaked in their design within a relatively short period after their launch, while others ride a wave of fashion only to be discontinued as this wave is taken over by another one. Only with a rare few, the passing of time doesn't seem to get a hold of them. They have become icons for their respective brands, and benchmarks for the rest of the industry. But that doesn't mean that they did it by merely being idle.

Last week the first major watch fair of the year took place, as LVMH organized the very first edition of their 'Watch Week' in Dubai. It is taking the position of the 'Geneva Days,' an event in which the watch brands of LVMH used to launch their first batch of novelties of the year and which took place in Geneva at the same time as the SIHH. As this event is now renamed 'Watches & Wonders Geneva' and takes place adjacent to Baselworld at the end of April. While the LVMH watch brand still participates in Baselworld, they have, for years, been following a strategy of launching the majority of their novelties in two batches throughout the year. The 'Geneva Days' and now 'LVMH Watch Week' allows them to get a head start on the rest, but also to receive feedback from retailers and press to fine-tune their second batch of offerings.

It was an epic night again in Hollywood, as the 77th edition of the Golden Globes took place. The show was hosted once again by British comedian Ricky Gervais, and proved to be a big night for Quentin Tarantino, as his 'Once Upon a Time....in Hollywood' took home the awards for best musical or comedy, supporting actor and screenplay.

Moving into another year is always something, but entering an entirely new decade seems to come with even higher expectations. The last decade was a turbulent one, with rapid innovations of which one, the smartwatch, was accompanied by a potential cloud of doom for the traditional watch industry. While primarily the Apple watch sold very well, the watch industry wasn't plunged into another quartz crisis. Many now consider that smartwatches got a new and young generation of customers used to wearing something around their wrist. As a result, they also are curious about what else there is to wear, and then the magic of tiny little gears, levers, and other parts that work together in an astonishing precision seems to be hard to resist. In the new decade, the smartwatches with undoubtfully hold their ground, as their technological features will ever increase. Still, they will no longer be an imminent threat to the mechanical watch industry.