The commercial was created to celebrate Cartier the brand. (165th Anniversary) Panther is synonymous to Cartier as was Jeanne Toussaint (designer called panther ) known for designing a panther brooch in 1915 for the Duchess of Winsor, Wallis Simpson. It shows the history of the brand from that creation to going to Russia to find fine enameling & jade and creating for the Russian royalty, the Trinity rings, the bracelets with unique locking mechanisms, firsts in jewelry history including the use of unusual gems and colors, redesigning jewelry for maharajahs, designing a wristwatch for famed aviator so he could fly unencumbered, the tank watch (most are round) the panther walks by it in silhouette when it returns home to Paris where it started. It is meant to to show the history, values (fine design & innovation) and inspiration. A gorgeous film, the stuff of dreams, mesmerizing and packaged beautifully.
In 1915, Wallis was 19 years old and had not yet met the first of her three husbands, let alone the future Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor.
I stand corrected. A typo 1948 the Duke of Winsor commissioned panther brooch.
The first panther was created in 1915 by principal designer Charles Jacque, the realistic panther, the icon wasn’t created till 1948 in the same year the Duke of Winsor commissioned the brooch for the Duchess of Winsor.
“All those of you who recognize the references may now smugly feel superiorly cultured” don’t forget that…
Sounds to me like it’s not even really an advertisement, and that is probably why it seems like it has no actual message. It’s merely a celebratory film they made that they bought commercial time for. Sure, it might help them find clients, but even the most abstuse commercials have a clear message that you should buy their product.