To strive passionately and with purpose...that could be the motto of Maria Félíx, one of the most famous Latin American actresses in the world and a loyal Cartier customer. She was a character of legend, whose wild beauty was depicted to perfection in black and white. On-screen and off, her motto lay in pursuing life with passion. Her aggressive star power lit up the screen as she defied convention and portrayed tough women on camera. Jet-black hair, glowing eyes and lips outlined in flaming red, she captured the imagination of her adoring fans spread across Mexico, Latin America, Spain, France and Italy. Her title 'La Doña' evolved from a character she played in her 1943 film Doña Barbara and stuck to her throughout her colourful life. A seductive appeal encompassed her every move, which inspired Parisian poets and artists like Jean Cocteau to use her as a muse for his works. Her style too made headlines; coloured boots, huge capes and jewellery by Cartier.

The story borders on the unreal. The Mexican actress turned up, unannounced, at Cartier one day...with a small but live crocodile. She laid bare her desire to have a necklace made for her in the shape of the reptile. Although baffling at first, nothing seemed impossible for the master jewellers and a few months later, the piece was ready. Utterly lifelike, the creation had been sculpted and embellished in the image of the original.

An exotic, unpredictable beauty with fiery magnetism, the Maison needed to look no further for the inspiration behind their stylish new watch collection...La Doña de Cartier.