A beloved addition to accessories, Gucci’s Horsebit was first realised as jewellery in the 1970s, reiterating the scope of the storied Italian house and its ability to evolve. In 2004, the Horsebit fine jewellery collection launched, paving the way for this most recent offering. Unveiled in a cinematic new campaign photographed by Carlijn Jacobs, this new collection takes the classic insignia and makes it feel fresher than ever. This is fine jewellery as you’ve never seen it before; classic without being stuffy, refined without feeling at all conservative.
Certain legacies are so great, their origin stories become tales of almost mythic proportions. Gucci’s Horsebit motif bears one such legacy: one sketch, drawn in an artisan’s notebook in the 1940s, has become one of the most enduring and versatile pieces of iconography of any existing fashion house. Instantly recognisable, the double-ring and bar is inspired by Guccio Gucci—the brand’s eponymous founder—and his fascination with the English equestrian scene. Since first adorning loafers in the early 1950s, this emblem has become a marker of refined style and exquisite craftsmanship, and it has been reinterpreted throughout each Gucci era ever since.
Yellow-gold chains sit alongside large pendant styles illuminated with diamonds, contrarié rings offer a contemporary twist on classic jewels and interlinked Horsebits form dazzling drop earrings. These pieces are undoubtedly rarefied in terms of craftsmanship, yet they remain adaptable enough to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe. Chunky chain necklaces consisting of dozens of interlinked gold Horsebits will elevate cashmere knits, whilst the large pendant styles, embellished with diamonds, will enhance everything from day dresses to floor-sweeping gowns for black-tie occasions. There are also yellow-gold chain bracelets set with diamonds and sculptural bangles in two sizes: one boasts precious stones, the other is more streamlined. These are investments that will last forever.
One of the most illustrious interpretations of the Horsebit arrives in the form of Gucci’s new watch: a steel chain bracelet paired with a silver dial. The brand has long been a pioneer in this arena; it’s one of the first luxury fashion houses to foray into the world of Swiss-made watches, combining Italian flair and creative nous with Swiss precision. This new silver style feels thoroughly contemporary; Gucci has taken its 80-year-old insignia and transformed it into a timepiece you won’t ever want to take off.
To assert that Gucci’s Horsebit is timeless is to underestimate its cultural impact. A beautiful expression of heritage, the house’s new fine jewellery campaign is a testament to that. Intended to pay homage to the house’s past whilst also forging its future, these jewels are the modern heirlooms of tomorrow.
