Jeweler of The Kings, King of Jewelers
History
Taking over his master’s workshop, Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847.
With the rise of the Second Empire, Cartier’s business grew over a decade, with the opening of the first Cartier boutique in 1859.
Louis-François’ son Alfred then took over the business, moving it to the prestigious rue de la Paix in the jewellery district of Paris. Alfred’s own sons expanded the Cartier brand overseas, to London and New York.
Alfred’s third son remained behind in Paris to continue the growth of Cartier at home. His revolutionary ideas, such as using platinum in jewellery, earned Cartier the title of ‘Jeweller of Kings, King of Jewellers’ from King Edward VII.
The celebrity endorsements didn’t stop there, with Louis’ friend Alberto Santos-Dumont commissioning a watch to wear while piloting his lighter-than-air dirigible. Santos-Dumont’s celebrity status made the wrist-worn watch, uncommon at the time, a must-have fashion accessory among men.
A stint on the Western Front inspired Louis to design a watch based on the Renault FT tanks he’d seen in action, turning the profile of a war machine into something beautiful: the Cartier Tank, one of the brand’s most successful timepieces.
A commission for the Pacha of Marrakech followed, a waterproof watch that could be worn while swimming. The canteen crown design became the publicly available Cartier Pasha, another icon of Cartier’s past. Perhaps Louis’ most iconic creation was the triple gold Trinity ring, woven in three filaments of red, white and yellow gold.
Louis’ death in 1942 brought about a sad time for Cartier. His ideas and imagination grew the brand into what it is today, but fortunately it can be said that his passing did not mark the end of Cartier’s creative run.
Thanks to the inspiration of Alain Dominique Perrin and Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier continued to flourish, introducing the almighty Panther—a symbol of Cartier—into the jewellery and watch line.
Still today Cartier continues to push boundaries and challenge perceptions with its Concept ID collection.
Utilising a completely transparent ceramic case sealed from the air to reduce resistance on moving parts, the Concept ID Two is a watch that could well have come from the future.
Its titanium movement is manufactured with such precision that lubricating oils are no longer needed, and its fibreglass mainsprings and carbon crystal balance are resistant to magnetic fields.
It’s a fine example of how this artisanal jeweller and watchmaker has continued to astound audiences for almost two centuries, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
A lot has been said about the Cartier look, and how exquisite and breathtaking it is. The coveted brand has been on the wish list of many around the world.
Adored by royalty and celebrated individuals, it symbolizes pure excellence. Cartier has a fabulous lineage of watchmaking, precious accessories, and fine jewellery that has grasped international attention of the rich and famous.
Jeweler of The Kings, King of Jewelers
History
Taking over his master’s workshop, Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847.
With the rise of the Second Empire, Cartier’s business grew over a decade, with the opening of the first Cartier boutique in 1859.
Louis-François’ son Alfred then took over the business, moving it to the prestigious rue de la Paix in the jewellery district of Paris. Alfred’s own sons expanded the Cartier brand overseas, to London and New York.
Alfred’s third son remained behind in Paris to continue the growth of Cartier at home. His revolutionary ideas, such as using platinum in jewellery, earned Cartier the title of ‘Jeweller of Kings, King of Jewellers’ from King Edward VII.
The celebrity endorsements didn’t stop there, with Louis’ friend Alberto Santos-Dumont commissioning a watch to wear while piloting his lighter-than-air dirigible. Santos-Dumont’s celebrity status made the wrist-worn watch, uncommon at the time, a must-have fashion accessory among men.
A stint on the Western Front inspired Louis to design a watch based on the Renault FT tanks he’d seen in action, turning the profile of a war machine into something beautiful: the Cartier Tank, one of the brand’s most successful timepieces.
A commission for the Pacha of Marrakech followed, a waterproof watch that could be worn while swimming. The canteen crown design became the publicly available Cartier Pasha, another icon of Cartier’s past. Perhaps Louis’ most iconic creation was the triple gold Trinity ring, woven in three filaments of red, white and yellow gold.
Louis’ death in 1942 brought about a sad time for Cartier. His ideas and imagination grew the brand into what it is today, but fortunately it can be said that his passing did not mark the end of Cartier’s creative run.
Thanks to the inspiration of Alain Dominique Perrin and Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier continued to flourish, introducing the almighty Panther—a symbol of Cartier—into the jewellery and watch line.
Still today Cartier continues to push boundaries and challenge perceptions with its Concept ID collection.
Utilising a completely transparent ceramic case sealed from the air to reduce resistance on moving parts, the Concept ID Two is a watch that could well have come from the future.
Its titanium movement is manufactured with such precision that lubricating oils are no longer needed, and its fibreglass mainsprings and carbon crystal balance are resistant to magnetic fields.
It’s a fine example of how this artisanal jeweller and watchmaker has continued to astound audiences for almost two centuries, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
A lot has been said about the Cartier look, and how exquisite and breathtaking it is. The coveted brand has been on the wish list of many around the world.
Adored by royalty and celebrated individuals, it symbolizes pure excellence. Cartier has a fabulous lineage of watchmaking, precious accessories, and fine jewellery that has grasped international attention of the rich and famous.
Santos de Cartier sunglasses in brushed champagne gold metal finish, screws with polished champagne gold finish, pilot shape, details of the bridge and temples in black calfskin, gray polarized lenses with gold flash, degree of protection 3.
Santos de Cartier sunglasses, rimmed lenses in black horn and carbon, metal with a glossy platinum finish, brown leather bridge detail, pilot shape, brown polarized lenses, protection rating 3.
Panthère de Cartier sunglasses in smooth golden-finish metal, butterfly shape and brown lenses with golden flash.
Signature C de Cartier sunglasses in black composite and smooth golden-finish titanium, round shape and gray lenses.
Panthère de Cartier sunglasses in smooth golden-finish metal, round shape and graduated purple lenses.
Trinity sunglasses in black composite and smooth golden-finish and platinum-finish metal, square shape and graduated gray lenses with golden flash.
Cartier CT0260O titanium eyeglasses for men. Soft rectangular frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0260O titanium eyeglasses for men. Soft rectangular frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0260O titanium eyeglasses for men. Soft rectangular frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0250O titanium eyeglasses for men. Modern round frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0250O titanium eyeglasses for men. Modern round frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0250O titanium eyeglasses for men. Modern round frame embellished with Cartier C detail as a functional and aesthetic element of the bridge. Windsor rims on a titanium frame for a contemporary design. Godron detail on the outside of the temples.
Cartier CT0256O men's eyeglasses. Half frame with a pilot shape with a strong and unmistakable aesthetic. Lightweight titanium structure, embellished with the unmistakable Santos screw motif on the temples, to recall the bold Santos de Cartier design. The acetate ends reflect the cut of the Santos watch case and are embellished with the iconic screw.
Cartier CT0256O men's eyeglasses. Half frame with a pilot shape with a strong and unmistakable aesthetic. Lightweight titanium structure, embellished with the unmistakable Santos screw motif on the temples, to recall the bold Santos de Cartier design. The acetate ends reflect the cut of the Santos watch case and are embellished with the iconic screw.
Men's day frame with a square rectangular shape. Unmistakable Santos screw motif, emblem of the Santos de Cartier collection, on the hinge and terminals.
Santos de Cartier men's eyeglasses CT0167O Men's day frame with a square rectangular shape. Unmistakable Santos screw motif, emblem of the Santos de Cartier collection, on the hinge and terminals.
Lightweight eyeglasses for men / women Cartier Piccadilly CT0092O 002 Rectangular open frame, precious gold finishes, embellished with the Cartier C motif on the temples revisited in a contemporary way. Nickel-free eyeglasses, a sober, elegant and dynamic model aimed at a modern target.
Lightweight eyeglasses for men / women Cartier Piccadilly CT0092O 002 Rectangular open frame, precious gold finishes, embellished with the Cartier C motif on the temples revisited in a contemporary way. Nickel-free eyeglasses, a sober, elegant and dynamic model aimed at a modern target.
Signature C de Cartier CT0021O women's eyeglasses Contemporary interpretation of Cartier's C in the new declination of the iconic motif. Elegant pantos shape in titanium.
ignature C de Cartier CT0021O women's eyeglasses Contemporary interpretation of Cartier's C in the new declination of the iconic motif. Elegant pantos shape in titanium.
Cartier eyeglasses for women and men CT0094O (001) The Louis Cartier collection conquers 18-karat yellow, white and pink gold to express an aesthetic imbued with delicacy and lightness.