Kim Kardashian’s unlikely link to Jackie Kennedy has been revealed via a historic Cartier watch on display at a new exhibition in the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum.
The collection includes royal tiaras, Maharajah necklaces and Tyler, The Creator’s dazzling watch alongside a section celebrating a diamond tiara and choker worn by Rihanna – plus much more.
But it’s a watch worn by the former US first lady that got crowds talking when the exhibition opened for previews this week in London ahead of its formal opening on April 12.
A plaque showcasing the Cartier watch, which was made by Cartier Paris for Cartier New York in 1962, explained that “Jacqueline Kennedy received this Tank wristwatch as a gift from her then brother-in-law, Prince Stanislaw Radziwill, after family members completed the Fifty Mile Hike in Palm Beach in 1963.”
It goes on to explain that the hike was conceived by her husband, President John F. Kennedy, who urged the American people to take on this gruelling challenge.” This came after the President set out to improve the health of the nation as part of his New Frontier programme.
The watch was later acquired by Kim Kardashian. Made up of sapphire, yellow and rose gold with a leather strap, it is one of the standout pieces in the new exhibition.
Check out some images of the watch here:
A press release about the exhibition says: “The V&A will stage the UK’s first major exhibition in almost 30 years dedicated to Cartier jewels and watches, exploring how the Maison became an unparalleled force in the jewellery and watch world.
“…Featuring more than 350 objects, the exhibition will chart the evolution of the house’s legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. It was at that point that the three grandsons of founder Louis-François set out to create the first globally recognised jewellery house, establishing branches in Paris, London and New York. With an enviable client list of royalty and aristocracy, Cartier became known as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’ and later broadened its appeal thanks to the devotion of leading creatives from the worlds of cinema, music and fashion.”
Other exhibits on show include a Cartier tiara and diamond choker necklace Rihanna wore for a futuristic shoot with W Magazine that depicted the ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker as a “warrior queen”.
At the V&A, a plaque introducing the jewels explains: ““Her fierce, futuristic fashion was paired with a 1902 tiara and 1906 choker in the Garland style. At first glance, such elaborate, historic jewels seem incongruous in such a fantastical setting, but they confirm the singer’s regal status among her peers, just as real-life queens inherit the jewels of their predecessors.”
In the shoot, Rihanna wore a scroll tiara was in 1902 for a special order and sold to the Countess of Essex. The tiara is made of diamonds, silver and gold.
The choker necklace the musician wore, which is made up of diamonds and platinum, was made by special order in 1906 and was commissioned for Mary Scott Townsend.
Elsewhere, a special Cartier watch owned by Tyler, The Creator, was also on display.
The exhibition runs from 12th April 2025 – 16th November 2025. Tickets are available here.
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