Surprisingly, the Boucheron Quatre was born in 2004. It's surprising only because one would think that such an icon—there's simply no other design like it in the world—would've been part of Boucheron's storied heritage far longer than that.
The Quatre is in every way a result of multiple juxtapositions. As its name suggests, the Boucheron Quatre ("quatre" meaning "four" in French) consists of four different elements—the Grosgrain, a line of diamonds, the Clou de Paris, and the Double Godron—that are consistently present as part of the series' design aesthetics. The elements have been referenced from the Maison's archives and while they may have each or separately undergone minor tweaks as well as substitutions since the Quatre came to be, the original spirit remains throughout. Like the four elements of nature (Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water), they're altogether a constant fixture to form the Quatre's distinct allure.
The Grosgrain is inspired by the grosgrain ribbons that are inherently part of haute couture. The link between haute couture and Boucheron may not be apparent, but Maison founder Frédéric Boucheron's father was a textile merchant by trade. And the jewellery that Boucheron crafts is akin to haute couture too—delicate and precise like the Wind, with the choice of materials as precious as the most sublime of couture fabrics.
The fiery passion of a line of diamonds symbolises the stellar savoir-faire of the Maison. Not only are diamonds part of Boucheron's oeuvre since 1892, the time-honoured expertise of its artisans have culminated in the skilled selecting of exceptional stones and setting them in the most delicate of ways.
Like the grounding Earth, the multifaceted Clou de Paris recalls the cobblestones of the Maison's historic headquarters in Paris' Place Vendôme. Frédéric was one of the first contemporary jewellers to set up shop in the famed square in 1893, with the motif incorporated as part of the Maison's design vocabulary since 1911.
And then there's the Double Godron. Inspired by architecture—a constant source of inspiration for the Maison—the double raised bands are reminiscent of fluting and resemble two bands forming as one. Like an eternal spring, the Double Godron symbolises an everlasting love between two beings.
Ripe off celebrating its 20th anniversary last year, Boucheron continues to prove that there are no limits to the evolution of the Quatre. Creative director Claire Choisne refocuses the attention of the Quatre's distinct elements with the Quatre Classique Tube. This latest addition adds another element of juxtaposition with a polished gold tube that supplements the Quatre's statement-making design. The pieces in the Quatre Classique Tube series are sculptural and further highlights the four elements as the united, singular icon that they are.
Photography: Shawn Paul Tan
Creative Direction and Styling: Asri Jasman
Grooming: Christian M
Photography Assistant: Chay Wei Kang
Styling Assistant: Naysa Subba
Model: Hibiki T at MANNEQUIN