Cartier

Cartier: a world of French luxury

Founded in the mid-19th century, the Cartier brand has always been one of the pioneers of the luxury industry and has produced numerous iconic designs over time, some of which still enrich the Maison’s range today. Cartier, for example, was the first company to offer not only pocket watches but also wristwatches as standard from 1888. A real revolution at the time, as timepieces that could be carried in the pockets dominated until then. And the company has also repeatedly set standards in terms of design, for example with the legendary jewellery and watches of the Panthère series or the complicated watches of the Privé series. Unlike other manufacturers, Cartier initially geared its watch program to female customers. Until the 1960s, the company was also family-owned. However, the founder’s three great-grandchildren sold their shares and initially let the company disintegrate into three individual parts. At the end of the 1970s, Robert Hocq and other investors succeeded in combining all the holding companies and uniting them under the umbrella of Cartier Monde SA. Today, the company, like many other luxury producers, belongs to the Richemont Group.

The history of the traditional Maison

The history of Cartier dates back to the 19th century. In 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over the workshop of his master Adolphe Picard in Paris and quickly celebrated success. As early as 1856, Princess Mathilde, a cousin of Napoleon III, acquired one of the founder’s creations for the first time, thus giving the entrepreneur entry into high society. In 1898, Louis Cartier finally joined the company. On his advice, the company moved to 13 rue de la Paix in Paris and created unique Art Deco designs here in the coming years. At the beginning of the 20th century, the company took the next step and opened a branch in London under the direction of Pierre Cartier. Only two years later, the company received its first official certificate as a supplier to the court of King Edward VII. Other royal customers in Spain, Russia and many other countries will follow. In 1909, the first branch in New York finally followed.

Jeanne Toussaint takes over as artistic director

Jeanne Touissaint succeeded Louis as artistic director in 1933 and took over this position until 1970.Touissaint, also known as “La Panthère”, had a significant influence on the style of the company and relied on a bright variety of colours and more suppleness. This is followed by unusual designs, such as that of the crash watch or that of the fully articulated snake necklace, commissioned by the Mexican actress María Félix. The company has been collecting the most extraordinary and groundbreaking designs in a collection since 1983. To this day, it is regularly exhibited in the world’s most prestigious museums and shows the company’s legacy in a special way. In 1984, Cartier also founded the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the first cultural foundation in France.

Sense of responsibility and creativity

In 2001, the next milestone in the company’s history followed: the opening of the Cartier watch manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Until then, the company had mainly used movements from Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre as well as ETA, but since 2009 it has mainly used its own in-house calibers. In 2003, the company also participates in the Kimberley Process to end the trade in diamonds from sources of conflict. In 2005, the Responsible Jewellery Council was co-founded. From 2020 to 2022, the company will also renovate and reopen the famous boutique at 13, Rue de la paix – a tribute to Cartier’s early beginnings and history.

An overview of the most beautiful Cartier watches

Whether women’s watches or men’s watches – since its founding in the middle of the 19th century, Cartier has launched a variety of watches for him and her. While women’s watches are characterized in particular by their smaller case sizes and their diamond and gemstone setting, the program for men includes a whole range of iconic watches, including the Santos or the Pasha Chronograph.

The Tank, a true icon of the Maison

The origins of the Cartier Tank date back to 1917. Shortly after the end of the First World War, in 1919, the watch finally came onto the market. Its rectangular design is inspired by tanks, so the Cartier Tank is still a reminder of its historical heritage today. Another characteristic feature of the Tank are the parallel side rails, which also serve as lugs. Art Deco Roman numerals complete the iconic look of the Tank, as do the blued sword hands. In recent years, Cartier has introduced a whole series of sub-models, including, for example, the Tank Louis Cartier, which is particularly close to the original design of the first Cartier Tank. The watch is available exclusively in gold, more precisely in yellow, red or white gold. While the ladies’ watches are set by a quartz movement, the larger versions for men feature a mechanical in-house caliber. Also worth mentioning are the Tank Française models with a more angular design and the Tank Solo. It is also strongly based on the original design of the Cartier Tank and is available in sizes S (small), M (medium), Large (large) and XL (extra large). Another important piece of information: The classic is not only available with quartz caliber and automatic caliber, but also with solar drive. No matter which of the watches you choose – thanks to their timeless elegance and precise workmanship, the watches in the series always have an excellent value retention potential and, in some cases, an interesting value appreciation potential.

Santos – made for pilots

The Cartier Santos is also a true icon in the world of the Parisian jeweller and has been in the range since 1904. It was designed for the Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, who in 1906 carried out the world’s first public powered flight with an airplane. The Cartier Santos was precisely adapted to the pilot’s needs and allowed him to keep both hands on the control stick and look at the clock at the same time. Thus, the Cartier Santos is considered the first pilot’s watch in history. Characteristic features of the watch include the Roman numerals in the Art Deco style and the distinctive screws on the bezel. Lovers of the Cartier Santos have the choice between two models: the Santos-Dumont and the more modern Santos de Cartier. In 2024, the manufacturer also launched two new special versions: the Dual Time, which can display two time zones at the same time, and the Platinum Rewind, which displays time backwards. The latter is a limited watch that was only produced 200 times, making it a real collector’s item.

Panthère – inspired by big cats

The panther has long been the company’s heraldic animal and repeatedly adorns jewellery and watches. Several series bear the name of the wild predator. The most famous is undoubtedly the Panthère de Cartier – a real must-have for fans of the Parisian company. The watch is visually similar to the Santos, but is much smaller and equipped with a five-link link bracelet that nestles smoothly on the wrist. The watch is available in stainless steel, gold or in a two-tone version and, depending on the type, is also set with diamonds or precious gemstones. And the unique beauty of Panthère jewellery watches must also be accepted – the company offers a whole range of jewellery watches under names such as La Panthère or Joaillère Panthère, all of which are inspired by the black feline of prey and are true masterpieces of watchmaking and goldsmithing.

Pasha – legendary since the 1980s

The Cartier Pasha has been part of the famous house’s range since the 1980s and has since been released in a wide variety of versions. For example, you can choose between chronographs, skeleton watches and also complicated watches with moon phase and tourbillon. Characteristic of the Cartier Pasha are also the chain crown, the square railroad minute track and the four Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12. If you like it more exclusive, an iced-out style watch is the best choice. The entire dial is set with gemstones.

Ballon Bleu – a special collection

The Ballon Bleu is also one of the luxury manufacturer’s popular watches and owes its name to the round case and the blue sapphire or spinel cabochon on the crown. Likewise, the winding crown is embedded in the case and enclosed with a ring, which gives the watch a unique look and at the same time serves as protection. The Ballon Bleu is also one of the must-haves of every collection and is available for men and women in stainless steel and other precious metals. Top versions even come with a flying tourbillon.

Jewellery from the house of Cartier

It was not only through the iconic watches that Cartier achieved world fame; the legendary jewellery of the house also helped it to international success and has always adorned famous personalities, including representatives of royal families as well as actresses and actors. What distinguishes each piece of Cartier jewellery? Consummate perfection, the pursuit of innovative techniques and the uncompromising selection of the finest materials. The lines are also special, as they are always pure and precise.

Popular series – Love, Trinity, Clou and more

As with the watches, the House’s jewellery programme offers a range of famous designs that never go out of style and are a real asset to any collection. For example, the jewellery in the Love series is very popular, for example as a wedding ring or as a bangle. Equally popular are the pieces of jewellery in the Trinity series, especially the rings, which are sometimes round, sometimes cushion-shaped and perfectly combine the materials white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. The Juste un clour series is also timeless, sometimes very simple, sometimes set with sparkling diamonds. Jewelry to love!

The art of High Jewellery

Preserving and passing on know-how: Cartier is one of the few manufacturers to have its own glyptics workshop. Glyptics refers to the art of engraving and modelling precious and semi-precious stones. A rare craftsmanship that must be preserved and which forms the basis of the House’s wonderful High Jewellery style. The company brings together all the professions involved in the jewellery under one roof – from the first sketch to the finished product, from the designers to the goldsmiths to the cutters. In doing so, the experts repeatedly break the boundaries of what is possible and constantly develop traditional craftsmanship. It is not for nothing that true legends such as the Tillandsia necklace or the Hemis necklace were created in the Parisian atelier.

Watches and jewellery from Cartier – an enrichment for any collection

Are you interested in an iconic watch from the Parisian manufacturer? Whether with manual winding or an automatic movement, whether new or pre-owned – SG Watches is your experienced specialist for the sale of watches from Cartier. We will be happy to advise you personally at our branch in Oldenburg and offer you the opportunity to view and invest a variety of treasures from the manufacturer on site. You don’t have the opportunity to visit us in Oldenburg? Then take a look at the content of our website and our shop. Here, too, we have summarized a lot of valuable content for you about the watches and jewelry we offer and, if you wish, we will be happy to advise you by phone on questions such as the value retention or the value appreciation potential of individual pieces. Of course, our service also includes insured shipping. And even after the purchase of a watch, we are happy to assist you and, if desired, take care of the maintenance and care of your luxury watch. Our experienced master watchmakers also carry out repairs with a lot of know-how and expertise.