VAULT 101

The Cartier Juste un Clou Bracelet: A History

By The Rebag Team, Aug. 8, 2023

Timeless Design

Since 1847, French luxury jewelry and horlogerie maison Cartier has been producing incredibly iconic pieces for royal families, celebrities, and dignitaries alike. However, it was not until the 1970s that one of their most influential designs would come to life in the form of the Juste un Clou collection. Take a dive into the history behind one of the brand’s most iconic bracelets.

The Juste un Clou Bracelet

In 1970, Cartier designer Aldo Cipullo created a stunning, bold bracelet resembling a curved nail. Inspired by the rebellious spirit of the era, he envisioned a design that would capture the essence of a nail transformed into a chic piece of jewelry. In 1971, the Juste un Clou (French for “Just a Nail”) collection was launched, featuring the distinctive nail-shaped bracelet crafted from precious metals like gold and adorned with diamonds in some iterations. This avant-garde creation challenged conventional notions of luxury jewelry and embraced the notion of finding beauty in everyday objects. In 2012, Cartier introduced new designs to the Juste un Clou line, including thicker bracelets and wrap-around diamond rings. Today the collection also includes earrings, cufflinks, and necklaces crafted in various metals, including gold, white gold, and rose gold.