For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Cartier Vintage Red Chinese Dragons Luxury Card & Envelope Set
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Red D...
Cartier Vintage Luxury Stationery Set Circa 1990s Red Presentation Box
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris Luxury Stationery Set in Original Red Presentation Box, limited edition. An authentic Cartier Paris luxury stationery set presented in its iconic signature red textured presentation box with elegant gold Cartier script on the interior flaps. Beautifully crafted to the exceptional standards of the renowned French luxury house, this refined correspondence set embodies Cartier's timeless sophistication and attention to detail. The set includes premium heavyweight white note cards with matching fine-quality envelopes. Each notelet features a subtle textured finish and is elegantly embellished with a finely printed red dual-crested Cartier motif, creating a distinguished and understated presentation suitable for personal correspondence, invitations, or special occasions. Housed in a beautifully designed triptych-style folding case, the stationery is both practical and highly collectible, making it an elegant desk accessory or a thoughtful gift for collectors of Cartier and luxury writing accessories. Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry...
Cartier Vintage Tank Watch Design Luxury Card and Envelope Set of 10
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris Card and Envelope Set of 10 with the Iconic Tank Watch Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Tank Watch, limited edition Desk Acc...
Cartier Paris Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box Vintage 1970
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Must De Cartier Paris Vintage Playing Poker or Bridge Cards in Red Original Box. Cartier playing cards, one deck plus joker, poker, bridge playing cards in Cartier red 2-doors case. Les Must De Cartier playing cards were only sold from 1972-1976. This silk-lined box of cards with 18-karat gilded corners, printed with the Les Must De Cartier logo, is a gift for the true collector. The box measures: 6 1/2" by 4 1/4" by 1 3/8" and is marked Cartier. Beautiful deep red color cards with golden accents, Cartier cameo monogram, and 18-karat gold splashed edges. These cards are beautiful and rare, a real treasure. Cartier playing cards in gilt-tooled leather red case, the inside marked "Les Must de Cartier, Paris". Genuine Cartier and marked "Cartier Paris". Cartier playing cards are Monaco grade for casinos and gaming each with the Cartier monogram, circa 1980s. Vintage Luxe Must De Cartier poker...
Panther de Cartier Collectible Vintage Perfume Bottle in original Box Art Deco
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Must de Cartier Paris Collectible Vintage Empty Perfume Bottle in Original Box Art Deco Style. Vintage Original PARFUM Must de Cartier Paris, cir...
Cartier Jewelry Ring Box in Red Leather Gilt Embossed
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Red Leather Gilt Embossed Ring Presentation Storage Travel box. Cartier ring presentation box with outer box Cartier Paris red leather ...
Cartier Panther Design Desk Accessory Set with 9 Cards & Envelopes
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris Card and Envelope Set of 9 with the Iconic Panther Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope Black Pan...
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Cartier Set of 10 Panther Design Card and Envelop Luxury Season's Greetings
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Luxury Cartier set of 10 Cards and Envelopes with the Iconic Cartier Panther Jewelry Design. Large Cartier Panthere Season's Greetings, Joyeuses Fetes Stationary Cards. Authentic Lux...
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Cartier Red Chinese Dragons Card and Envelope Set in Luxury Box Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope R...
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Cartier Paris “Tank” Stationery Set, 10 Cards & Envelopes in Original Box 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris “Tank” Stationery Set, 10 Cards & Envelopes in Original Box, circa 1990s A refined and rare vintage stationery set by Cartier...
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Cartier Paris Luxury Stationery Set, Red Dragons Design, France, 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Paris Luxury Stationery Set in Original Red Presentation Box, limited edition. An authentic Cartier Paris luxury stationery set presented in its iconic signature red textured presentation box with elegant gold Cartier script on the interior flaps. Beautifully crafted to the exceptional standards of the renowned French luxury house, this refined correspondence set embodies Cartier's timeless sophistication and attention to detail. The set includes premium heavyweight white note cards with matching fine-quality envelopes. Each notelet features a subtle textured finish and is elegantly embellished with a finely printed red dual-crested Cartier motif, creating a distinguished and understated presentation suitable for personal correspondence, invitations, or special occasions. Housed in a beautifully designed triptych-style folding case, the stationery is both practical and highly collectible, making it an elegant desk accessory or a thoughtful gift for collectors of Cartier and luxury writing accessories. Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry...
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Cartier Limited Edition Book Set, Gold Love & Trinity, 1999
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
CARTIER Catalogue Collection Horlogerie-Gold Love Trinity Panthere Books Collection of 3 Authentic CARTIER Books catalogue in red Cartier Panther sleeve including the following: Cart...
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Cartier understands the value of preserving the signature codes of great design, and how to tweak it for modern aficionados.
Throughout the season, timepieces are clues to the characters' character.
