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 Must De 21C Mens Midsize Unisex Watch - Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
By Cartier
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
CARTIER LANIER Ladies 18K White Gold & Factory Diamond Watch
By Cartier
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. CARTIER LANIER Ladies Hexagon Watch - 18K White Gold & Cartier Factory Set Diamonds $32,900 Retail Equivalent - Gorgeous Condition - 2 Year Warranty The Cartier Lanier is a study in structure. Its elongated case is defined by crisp planes, sharp transitions, and deliberate geometry - a design that feels architectural rather than ornamental, and unmistakably Cartier in its discipline. It presents as a composed object, where every line serves a purpose and nothing is accidental. Executed in 18K white gold, its case is factory set with square diamonds that run in precise channels along both sides. These stones are not applied as decoration, but as part of the case’s construction - integrated into the architecture of the watch itself. The result is a piece that reads as both jewelry and design object, without leaning excessively toward either. Its silvered dial, signed Cartier and finished with classic Roman numerals, provides visual balance and legibility - and make the watch immediately recognizable as a Cartier. It reinforces the maison’s long-standing design language, anchoring the watch in tradition while allowing the case to express a more modern, sculptural sensibility. Most of the diamond Cartier watches...
White Gold
1955 Patek Philippe Vintage Ladies Fancy Lug Watch - 18K Gold & Diamonds
By Patek Philippe
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold
Cartier Must De 21C Mens Midsize Unisex Watch - Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
By Cartier
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
1969 Jaeger-LeCoultre Vintage Mens Memovox Alarm Reveil, Automatic - 14K Gold
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
14k Gold
Corum Clipper Club Ladies 2-Tone Quartz Watch - Stainless Steel & 18K Gold
By Corum
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Cartier Tortue Watch with Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k white gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and a navy blue leather alligator strap. Signed by Cartier 28mm face Model #2644
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Bezel Ladies Watch with Box
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
A timeless expression of Parisian elegance, this Cartier Colisée ladies watch beautifully embodies the refined sophistication for which Ca...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Paris Gondole 18K Gold Diamond Bezel White Dial Manual Wind Watch
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Cartier Gondole manual wind watch in 18K yellow gold featuring oval case with diamond bezel and white dial with black Roman numerals. Serial 780790308,...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Trinity 18K Tri Color Trinity Round Dial 27mm 1990's Diamond Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in timeless elegance with the Ladies Cartier Trinity 2357, a stunning representation of our exquisite collection of pre-owned watches for sale. This watch exudes glamour and sophistication, making it the perfect choice to adorn any woman's wrist. The round-shaped case of this iconic ladies' luxury watch is meticulously crafted from lustrous 18-karat yellow gold, adding a touch of opulence to your ensemble. Measuring a graceful 27 mm in diameter without the crown, its proportions are just right for a delicate and refined look. This Cartier Trinity watch...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Cartier Ellipse Ladies Yellow Gold and Diamond Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Cartier Ellipse Ladies Wrist Watch, 25 x 22 M.M. 2 piece 18k Yellow Gold case set with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and a Sapphire set crown, Quartz movement, off White d...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Ladies Diamond Tank Americaine 18k Yellow Gold Watch WB701231
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Ladies Diamond Tank Americaine 18k Yellow Gold Watch WB701231 - Quartz. Tank Americaine. 18k yellow gold case with full double row diamond bezel (19mm x 35mm). Ivory colored ...
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.
