Embark on a captivating journey through the mesmerizing illusions of perception with Boucheron’s iconic Quatre ring, one of the Maison’s most emblematic designs, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Boucheron marks this exceptional occasion by launching a new campaign featuring fresh faces and new creations.
Let’s rewind to 2004, the birth year of the icon. Four rings were brought together to create the instantly recognizable and gender-neutral design. Each of the four motifs used in the ring’s design draws inspiration from its own source and holds its own significance.
The first motif, the Double Godron, introduced by Boucheron in the 1860s, symbolizes « an eternal love that binds two beings, » according to a brand press release. The Clou de Paris, introduced in 1911, is the second motif of the Quatre design, with its facets reminiscent of the cobblestones of Paris, particularly the famous Place Vendôme. The third motif is a row of natural diamonds, each exceptional stone hand-selected and set into the bracelet, symbolizing « eternity, echoing the eternal hardness of a diamond, » explains the Maison. The fourth and final motif used in the Quatre collection is the Grosgrain pattern. Grosgrain, a ribbed silk originally used to make ribbons, has been in Boucheron’s archives since the 1860s. It is renowned for being as « supple and delicate » as Boucheron’s jewelry repertoire.
The Quatre ring stands out for its attention to detail and composition. Each of the four motifs is crafted separately using the highest jewelry technology, then assembled by hand to form the final product. « You cannot create an icon, » says Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, CEO of Boucheron. « Icons are forged over time and acquire their status because they strike a chord with each of us. Especially when these icons are adorned with natural diamonds, the ultimate symbol of strength and beauty.
The nature of the Quatre ring encourages stacking and mixing metals. The ring itself is genderless, and Boucheron encourages its clients to wear it according to their personal style. While the Quatre ring has remained relatively unchanged since its launch 20 years ago, many capsule collection creations have been introduced to « challenge our notion of what is precious, » explains Claire Choisne, Creative Director.
In 2021, Boucheron partnered with the technical glass company Saint-Gobain. Together, they created a holographic coating and sprayed it onto the ceramic of the colored editions of the Quatre icon, creating shimmering shades that change with the light. The colored editions include versions in black, white, blue, and red of the Clou de Paris motif. These colored editions use a unique technical process to create a ring in Hyceram®, a hybrid compound of ceramic and elastomer that gives the bracelet a mirror polish and great durability.
Among other innovations, in 2022, the introduction of Cofalit®, an innovative recycled material used in the ring’s manufacturing process, was introduced. The Quatre Aluminum ring is the latest innovation of the ring, used in the setting of pave diamonds.
This year, in honor of the ring’s 20th anniversary, Boucheron presents an ultra-precious edition of the Classic Quatre ring using yellow sapphires and spessartite garnets alongside the traditional natural diamonds. This new creation is accompanied by a brand new communication campaign featuring the iconic model Anja Rubik. In this campaign, Anja Rubik wears a cape composed of 315 Quatre rings and, of course, a multitude of rings on her fingers.
