Cartier completely transforms Melbourne boutique after nearly a year of restoration
Borna BošnjakThe Cartier boutique in the Paris end of Melbourne’s Collins Street has been a mainstay luxury destination since its opening. Always filled with all sorts of watches and jewellery, it has now expanded onto two floors that offer a much brighter and welcoming space, though one that is still decadent in its opulence.
Interiors are dominated with references to Victorian flora and fauna, with the highlight being the second floor glass marquetry mural by Myriam Hubert, depicting Cartier’s iconic panther surrounded by native flowers.
Though the refreshed store quietly opened a few days ago, Cartier Oceania Managing Director Thomas Crye and his team officially opened the boutique last night in a stunning ceremony, saying: “This boutique is a celebration of Cartier’s bond with Melbourne – a city of creativity, diversity, and dynamic energy. We are proud to offer an immersive experience that honors both our Maison’s heritage and the beauty of the Australian landscape, and we look forward to welcome our beloved clients in their new flagship.”
The execution was to as high a standard as you’d expect from the Parisian jeweller, but naturally, I beelined straight to the watch cabinet. While Cartier’s Watches and Wonders 2025 novelties haven’t quite made their way to stores yet, I did get a whisper in my ear that the guest of honour that night, Dope Lemon’s Angus Stone, was wearing something a little special. A short chat about Cartier’s iconic shapes later, and with some seriously enviable ring game on show, Stone happily showed off a new Santos-Dumont. While this wasn’t one of Cartier’s headlining releases, it’s no less beautiful, with the textured dial inspired by the linen wings of Alberto Santos-Dumont’s Demoiselle aircraft.
Enjoy the weekend ahead,
Borna and the Time+Tide Team
Watch meme of the week: and you thought Apple Watches with suits were bad…
This isn’t a meme as much as a public service announcement. Just don’t. Please.
Wristshot of the week: George Russell’s custom IWC and Mercedes-AMG One
Just in time to show it off at the Miami Grand Prix, George Russell graced petrolheads and WIS with a pretty spectacular steering wheel wristshot. Seated behind the wheel of his new, customised Mercedes-Benz AMG One, a hypercar powered by a 2015 Merc Formula 1 engine, he sported a baby blue-dialled Ingenieur 42 Ceramic. Released just a few months ago for Watches and Wonders 2025, Russell’s watch was actually customised by Bamford Watch Department, following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt’s fully custom Ingenieur SL.
Time+Tide Shop pick of the week: Christopher Ward C12 Twelve Ti COSC (and last chance for Furlan Marri Red Hunter!)
The Twelve is one of the most versatile and affordable pieces on the market today, and the titanium variant adds just that extra edge to the steel originals. The gradient blue dial is a stunner, but the titanium case is the highlight, finished impressively for the price point, and flowing seamlessly into the bracelet. With an integrated bracelet watch, the bracelet is just as important as the case, and good news – the one on the C12 Ti is pretty fantastic, including its micro-adjustable butterfly clasp. To top it all off, the watch is powered by a COSC-certified Sellita SW300, a movement used in watches that regularly command multiples of the CW’s price point.
Discover the Christopher Ward C12 Twelve Ti COSC in the Time+Tide Melbourne and London Studios. Price: A$2,930
Though we featured it in our last newsletter, we thought we’d give a shoutout to the Furlan Marri Red Hunter one more time, as its pre-order window closes on May 4th. As a quick refresher, it sports a hinged caseback showing off the La Joux-Perret movement, with a multi-stepped dial and unique indices, created to celebrate the brand’s fourth anniversary.
The Red Hunter is available for pre-order right now through the Time+Tide shop until the window closes on May 4th at 14:00 BST (23:00 AEST), with all orders placed within the window to be honoured.
Time+Tide Shop accessory of the month: Charles Simon Oscar 1 Watch Roll
If you want to give one of your watches the most lavish travel treatment possible, Charles Simon is the brand you want to turn to. As makers of hand-crafted watch storage solutions, Charles Simon built its name on highly customisable, five-figure watch briefcases. The Oscar watch roll, however, delivers the same experience for a single watch, and at a fraction of the cost, with a plush Alcantara interior, and sturdy leather outer.
Discover the Charles Simon Oscar 1 Watch Roll in the Time+Tide Shop, as well as our Discovery Studios. Price: A$430
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
Three new Alpine Eagle pieces prove just how versatile the collection can be
Russell highlights three particularly special Alpine Eagle models released by Chopard for their 2025 Watches and Wonders, including a new high-frequency model and a decadent, L.U.C-powered platinum piece. Read Russell’s full thoughts here, or watch the video above.
The Time+Tide Mother’s Day gift guide, from delicious doughnut to slithering Serpenti
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’ve gathered a varied selection of horological items, from our funky doughnut cases for the collector mum, to an opulent Serpenti for the really special occasions. Read our 2025 Mother’s Day guide here.
Why you’re wrong about watches being the only male jewellery
We’re sure you’ve heard this one at some point, but is it really true that watches are the only acceptable form of jewellery for men? A quick reflection would surely tell you otherwise, but this isn’t just a new trend. Read about men’s jewellery (and watch) habits through the years here.