SimplyAbuDhabi XLIII

Boucheron Quatre: Iconic since 2004 2 024 marks the 20th year of Quatre—two decades of an inimitable style. Over that time span, the collection has established a place for itself among the icons of jewellery. “You can’t create an icon. Icons are wrought over time, and they gain that status because they strike a chord with people,” says Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron. “An icon isn’t designed to be an icon. It’s the clients who decide.” A symbol of strength and protection, Quatre is a hallmark of those who choose to lead rather than command; to inspire rather than demand; and to protect others rather than squash them. To truly understand its iconic status means going right back to the beginning. It all started in 2004, with a ring that brought together four distinct codes from the Boucheron archives—all seemingly at odds with each other—in a single unique design. Four bands became one and now embody the contemporary strength that serves and protects others—no wonder, as the Quatre ring weighs no less than 13.88 grams of gold. Quatre has been showcasing its codes for a whole 20 years now. The number 20 conjures up harmony and balance and is often associated with rebirth, so it is fitting that this collection demonstrates its compelling creative force yet again. It’s a new kind of campaign, yes, but also manifests in new designs that stay true to the Quatre aesthetic, reinventing it without diluting its essence. The Codes of Quatre Infused with the past, yet purposefully directed towards the future: that’s Quatre. The collection was sparked by a choice of motifs from the archives, each of which honours a different facet of Boucheron’s history. The Double Godron first appeared in the Maison’s creations in the 1860s, an architectural design of raised bands, reminiscent of fluting. As this pattern attests, Boucheron has always drawn inspiration from architecture. Two rings melded into one: the Double Godron in the Quatre ring symbolizes an eternal love that binds two beings. The second motif in Quatre is the Clou de Paris. Its myriad facets draw light to the ring, recalling the cobblestones of Paris, and Place Vendôme in particular. First introduced into Boucheron’s design repertoire in 1911, this code pays homage to the location of the Maison’s historical address. In 1893, Frédéric Boucheron was the first of the great contemporary jewellers to open a boutique on Place Vendôme. Number 26 of this storied square has been home to Boucheron ever since. A row of diamonds is the third code, a great classic of jewellery employed by Boucheron since 1892. Epitomizing the savoir-faire of the Maison’s jewellers, it involves selecting exceptional stones and ingeniously working them into a delicate mirror setting. This row of precious stones symbolizes eternity, echoing the everlasting hardness of diamond. Lastly, a Grosgrain motif completes the Quatre ring. Grosgrain was originally a ribbed silk fabric, often used to make ribbons. This code has been in Boucheron’s archives since the 1860s. Its origin can be traced to Frédéric Boucheron’s father, who was a draper. The Grosgrain code recalls the couture heritage that helped make Boucheron’s name, with jewellery famed for being as supple and delicate as precious fabrics. The Making of Quatre An artful fusion of traditional savoir-faire and cutting- edge technologies, each code is patiently crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Quatre is like no other ring. It’s formed of four completely distinct bands, individually fashioned and then assembled into the Simply Abu Dhabi | 217