Cartier 
V&A South Kensington, London
April 12 – November 16, 2025 

Opening in April 2025, the V&A will stage the UK’s first major exhibition in almost 30 years dedicated to Cartier jewels and watches, exploring how the Maison became an unparalleled force in the jewelry and watch world.

Featuring more than 350 objects, the exhibition will chart the evolution of the house’s legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. It was at that point that the three grandsons of founder Louis-François set out to create the first globally recognised jewellery house, establishing branches in Paris, London and New York. With an enviable client list of royalty and aristocracy, Cartier became known as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’ and later broadened its appeal thanks to the devotion of leading creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion. 

The exhibition will include precious jewels and showstopping objects, historic gemstones, iconic watches and clocks from the V&A and Cartier Collection, as well as previously unseen drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives, together with works lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, major UK and international museums, and private collections. 

Highlights will include the Williamson Diamond brooch commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 featuring the rare 23.6 carat pink Williamson diamond; the Scroll Tiara commissioned in 1902 and worn to the coronation of Elizabeth II, and by Rihanna on the cover of W magazine in 2016; a rose clip brooch (1938) worn by Princess Margaret at her sister’s coronation; Grace Kelly’s engagement ring (1956), from the Monaco Princely Palace Collection.

more. www.vam.ac.uk