JCK Take 3: Fake watches, Pink Diamonds, Cartier Prize

By JCK News Desk | October 01, 2026

U.S. Customs Seizes Counterfeit Cartier Watches Valued at $28 Million

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago have seized 200 counterfeit Cartier watches that, if genuine, would have carried a combined retail value of approximately $28 million.

CBP’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team at Chicago O’Hare International Airport intercepted two shipments from Hong Kong earlier in the month. The packages, which were destined for California, contained watches bearing the Cartier trademark that were later determined to be counterfeit by the agency’s trade experts and consequently seized.

In a statement, Michael Pfeifer, acting director of field operations for CBP’s Chicago Field Office, said counterfeit goods harm legitimate companies that invest substantially in protecting their brands. He added that fake products can also present health and safety risks to consumers.

CBP noted that watches, jewelry, handbags, footwear, apparel, and consumer electronics are among the product categories most frequently targeted by counterfeiters. The agency said counterfeit goods are commonly sold through online marketplaces and flea markets, with profits often benefiting organized criminal enterprises.

(Photo: Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

Boodles Acquires Argyle Pink Diamonds

Boodles acquired the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand from Rio Tinto, taking ownership of associated pink-diamond trademarks along with the last remaining inventory of Argyle pink diamonds. The transaction also includes website assets and digital marketing properties.

Rio Tinto said it selected the British luxury jeweler as the brand’s new steward because of its long history with Argyle pink diamonds and its understanding of the brand’s heritage. The transition was completed October 1.

Jody Wainwright, managing director of Boodles, remarked that Argyle pink diamonds have played a role in Boodles’ jewelry designs for more than 40 years, describing the gems as extraordinary Australian treasures.

The move marks another chapter in the legacy of the Argyle mine in Western Australia, which was the world’s dominant source of pink diamonds and produced more than 90% of global supply before closing in November 2020.

Cartier Expands Emerging Talent Prize to Include Jewelry Designers

Cartier has expanded its long-running program for aspiring watchmakers to include jewelry designers, launching the new Cartier Talents of Tomorrow Prize as a dual-track competition focused on both crafts.

Under the new format, Cartier will continue its watchmaking competition while adding a jewelry category open to students in France, Italy, and Switzerland who have completed at least two years of jewelry-focused training.

For the 2027 edition, participants in both disciplines will work around the theme “Cartier’s Wild Fauna,” drawing inspiration from animal motifs that have long been associated with the brand. Jewelry candidates will create a brooch expressing the presence of an animal. Three winners will be selected in each category based on technical skill and creativity.

Applications will be accepted from October 1 through November 30, 2026. Eight finalists in each discipline will then receive mentorship and develop their projects over a three-month period before a jury selects the winners in spring 2027. The jewelry jury will include representatives from Cartier, Christie’s Europe, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, among others.

The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.