- The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has announced an exhibition dedicated to Cartier and its rich history as both a watchmaker and jeweller.
- Set to showcase more than 300 priceless objects, it’ll mark the largest exhibition of its kind to spotlight Cartier in Australia.
- The Cartier exhibition at the NGV opens on June 12th, 2026, and finishes on October 4th that same year.
Try as you might, it’s almost impossible not to love Cartier.
From its iconic timepieces to its truly unisex jewellery collections, the French-founded firm has something for everyone – and in 2026, the NGV is set to host the largest Cartier exhibition to ever grace Australia.
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Kicking off in June 2026, the landmark showcase will feature over 300 extraordinary objects, including precious jewels, historic gemstones, iconic watches, and remarkable clocks; each offering a window into the history of the brand, tracing the Maison’s evolution in art, design, and craftsmanship from the early 1900s to present day.
Expect all the heavy hitters you may already be familiar with: from the panther brooch and the mind-bending mystery clock, to the legendary Tank watch, as well as design drawings pulled from Cartier’s archives that lift the lid on how each piece of craft came to life.
Essentially, this NGV exhibition will be a century-spanning origin story that begins with Louis-François Cartier in Paris and ends with the global charge led by his grandsons Louis, Pierre, and Jacques.
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Visitors can also expect to see more than 20 different historic tiaras, such as the 1902 Scroll tiara once worn by Clementine Churchill (and later reimagined by Rihanna), alongside the 1907 Sun tiara blazing around a 32-carat yellow diamond. Elizabeth Taylor’s Burmese ruby necklace will be making an appearance too, as will examples of Cartier’s famed Tutti Frutti designs, and even Australian Lightning Ridge opals.
Curated and organised by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum – in partnership with the NGV and in collaboration with Cartier – other highlights include pieces on loan from private and institutional collections across the world, and notable artefacts from Cartier’s own Heritage Collection.
Suffice it to say, if you’ve ever wanted a front-row seat to jewellery’s most enduring myth-makers, this is it. The NGV’s Cartier exhibition officially opens on June 12th, 2026, and finishes on October 4th that same year.
