Cartier inks pop-up store partnership with Net-a-Porter

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Apr 24, 2017

Net-a-Porter’s drive upmarket continues. The mega luxury etailer has inked a deal with Cartier to open a one-month-long pop-up store whose star attraction will be a series of remodeled Panthères de Cartier – the jeweler’s iconic early eighties timepiece.

 The newly revamped collection will comprise 12 models across yellow gold, rose gold, white gold and stainless steel variations, with and without diamond bezels. Two creations are directly inspired by the emblematic spotted panther motif, and both are limited edition. Customers could start registering for the Cartier Panthère collection on Net-a-Porter’s website from 9 a.m. this morning, Monday, April 24. Though the watches will only be available from May 2 until May 31.  The exclusivity ends on June 1, when Cartier boutiques and watch dealers start selling the series. 
 
“I am delighted that Cartier has chosen Yoox Net-a-Porter Group as its first online retail partner to sell the Panthère watch. This partnership with the renowned French jeweler and fine watchmaker for this exclusive pop-up is a major success and marks another milestone in our long term strategy,” said Federico Marchetti, CEO of Yoox Net-a-Porter, and founder of Yoox, the Internet fashion discount, which merged with Net-a-Porter in 2015 to create high fashion’s largest e-tailer.

“Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to expand our fine jewelry and watches category and bring more iconic hard-luxury brands into a global online world,” continued Marchetti.
 
The deal marks a significant step in that direction. Currently, the most expensive items on Net-a-Porter are an Amrapali 18-karat gold, sapphire and diamond bracelet at $40,000; an IWC Schaffhausen Da Vinci watch at $37,900 and a pair of Buccellati gold and diamond Hawaii earrings at $22000. The top selling Panthère, however, will retail at £133,000 (or $170,000); even if its starting price is £3,200 ($4,100).

 “We are honored to be partnering with Cartier to launch the Panthère watch. The collection embodies the elegant aesthetic of Cartier – sophisticated, modern, and chic. Our pop-up shop will bring this timeless classic to life for customers around the globe,” added Alison Loehnis, President of Yoox Net-a-Porter and Mr Porter.
 
Though a novel retailing development, the deal is not unexpected – since Richemont, the South African owner of Cartier, is the largest single shareholder in Yoox Net-a-Porter.