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Cartier Jewelry Through the Cinematic Flow: From Hollywood’s Golden Age to “The White Lotus”
Apr
From the dazzling wedding rings of Hollywood’s golden era to the wristwatch versions in Netflix series, Cartier’s presence has added a touch of luxury, elegance, and sometimes even drama to countless cinematic works.
High Society (1956)
The golden age of Hollywood cinema often saw more collaborations between stars and luxury brands. In the 1950s, beauty icon Grace Kelly became the iconic face of Cartier, with the film High Society serving as a prime example. Not only did the movie captivate audiences with its romantic and humorous script, but it also drew attention with a precious detail: the legendary Cartier engagement ring.
What’s surprising is that the ring was not just a prop on set, but in fact, a token of love that Prince Rainier III of Monaco gave to actress Grace Kelly. The stunning emerald-cut diamond, weighing 10.48 carats, was perfectly accented by two slender baguette diamonds on either side. Beyond its monetary value, the design of this ring has also become an inspiration for many engagement rings that followed.
How to Steal a Million (1966)
Not only is she forever associated with the iconic little black dress by Givenchy, but Audrey Hepburn also remains unforgettable as the “muse” for the Cartier brand. In the comedy How to Steal a Million, the Hollywood star transformed into the alluring character Nicole, standing out in every frame thanks to a pair of exquisitely crafted diamond earrings, which shone brilliantly in various versions.
In another scene, Peter O’Toole’s character presents Nicole with an elegant red velvet Cartier box, inside which is a beautifully detailed engagement ring: a large hexagonal-cut diamond that sparkles with pure white brilliance. Hepburn’s natural reaction also helped make the ring a dream for every girl: “I’m a little dizzy, this is blinding me.”
Another valuable detail in the film is the elegant Cartier Tank watch worn on Hepburn’s wrist. In the same scene, the square-faced timepiece with its fashionable yellow leather strap, intricately woven, is subtly showcased as the actress realizes she’s late for her appointment. The watch is elegantly promoted, adding to the scene’s sophisticated atmosphere.
Grace of Monaco (2014)
Recreating the deep bond between actress Grace Kelly and the Cartier brand, the film Grace of Monaco focuses on her life after becoming the Princess of Monaco (played by Nicole Kidman). To authentically depict the princess’s regal image, five replicas of the most famous Cartier jewelry pieces were approved by the Monaco royal family for the film crew to use.
Among these, the iconic 10.47-carat diamond engagement ring given to her by Prince Rainier III in 1956, just three days after their second meeting with the family, is a standout. In addition to the engagement ring, Cartier also assisted in meticulously recreating the personal collection of the Princess, including the ruby and diamond tiara, the three-strand diamond necklace, the hen-shaped hairpin (1957), and the poodle-shaped brooch (1958).
Ocean’s 8 (2018) Jewelry
At the beginning of the century’s jewelry heist in Ocean’s 8, the Cartier diamond necklace becomes the main target of the all-female gang. Named “Jeanne Toussaint,” the necklace is a tribute to Cartier’s first female creative director. This masterpiece draws inspiration from the original 1931 design by Jacques Cartier, which was created exclusively for the Maharaja of Nawanagar.
The necklace features the flawless “Dutch Queen” blue-white diamond, weighing 136.25 carats, set alongside countless other precious white and pink diamonds. While the original necklace no longer exists, Cartier meticulously studied design sketches and archival images to revive its beauty on the silver screen.
Since the original design was intended for men, the necklace’s size was carefully adjusted to fit Anne Hathaway. Cartier’s skilled artisans spent 8 weeks crafting the “Jeanne Toussaint” from white gold, using zirconium oxide to mimic the dazzling appearance of diamonds.
The White Lotus 3 (2025) Jewelry
Cartier marked a striking return of luxury jewelry in contemporary cinema, embellishing the intense mind games of the high society in the TV series The White Lotus.
Notably, the elegant Cartier Baignoire watch worn by the character Laurie (played by Carrie Coon) is featured in The White Lotus. This watch first appeared in 1912 and was officially named “Baignoire” (French for “bathtub”) in 1973, inspired by the distinctive oval shape of the watch case. The timepiece boasts a refined quartz movement, a winding crown crafted from a deep blue cabochon sapphire, a transparent glass face, and a luxurious black calfskin strap.
Notably, the character Laurie (played by Carrie Coon) owns a Cartier Baignoire watch. This luxurious timepiece, with its distinctive oval shape reminiscent of a bathtub (the French name “Baignoire”), is a mini version of the model first introduced in 1912, featuring a case made of 18k yellow gold. The watch is equipped with a refined quartz movement, a winding crown set with a deep blue cabochon sapphire, a transparent glass face, and a premium black calfskin strap.
Additionally, the pair of Cartier Love bracelets on Kate Bohr’s wrist (played by Leslie Bibb) are equally captivating. The Love collection, inspired by the vibrant New York City of the 1970s, has become an iconic symbol of love with its oval shape that hugs the wrist and the distinctive screw details. The actress combines both the 18k yellow gold and pink gold versions in the scene: the sparkling yellow gold representing elegance and the soft pink gold evoking a romantic, feminine touch.
