Cartier Must 21 Man's Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Movement:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1035312021032
Cartier
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Cartier Diamond Gold Link WatchBy CartierLocated in New York, NY18K Y/gold open link watch, 9 RBC cut diamonds weight approx. 0.55 ct, GH VS, French hallmark, serial number with fist number unclear. 5752, watch length 7 1/4 inches, weight 28.8 dw...Category
20th Century French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Cartier Panthere Gold Diamond WatchBy CartierLocated in New York, NY18k yellow gold Panthere lady's watch by Cartier. Case measures 23mm in diameter excl crown, bezel decorated with approx. 0.40ctw in diamonds. Cartier 5 row panthere...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Cartier Les Must de Cartier Gold RingsBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier "Les Must de Cartier" gold rings Three gold bands, 18 karat yellow gold; marked les must de Cartier, 750, 51 Size: 5.75 US Total weight: 7.4 gramsCategory
Late 20th Century Band Rings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Les Must de Cartier Gold RingsBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier "Les Must de Cartier" gold band rings Three gold band rings, 18 karat rose, white, and yellow gold; marked les must de Cartier, 750, 53 Size: 6.5 US...Category
Late 20th Century Band Rings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Longines Diamond Gold Watch BraceletBy CartierLocated in New York, NY18k gold bracelet by Cartier, adorned with approx. 3.65ctw in diamonds, featuring Longines manual wind watch. Bracelet is 7 2/8" long and 20mm wide. Case is ...Category
20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Gold
- Cartier Pasha de Cartier 18k Moon Phase Calendar Watch, 1986By CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier "Pasha de Cartier" 18k Moon Phase Calendar Watch, 1986 18k solid yellow gold, with quartz movement in working order, Swiss made; marked Cartier, 1986, 0181, 30002 Size: cas...Category
Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold, 18k Gold
- Cartier Must 21By CartierLocated in Surfside, FLCartier Must 21 in stainless steel & gold plated. Quartz. 28 mm case size. With papers. Circa 1990s. Fine Pre-owned Cartier Watch. Certified preowned Classic Cartier Must 21 watch...Category
1990s Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Cartier 21 Must de Cartier 1330By CartierLocated in London, GBWatch: Cartier Must De 21 Stock Number: CHW5409 Price: £995.00 A huge amount of watch for under £1000! Its a classic Cartier that won't cost the earth and looks the part. 31mm stai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
- Cartier TANK MUST WATCH REDBy CartierLocated in London, GBTank Must watch, large model, quartz movement. Steel case, beaded crown set with a synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel, claret lacquered dial, polished steel sw...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Cartier Must Trinity Watch 2735By CartierLocated in PARIS, FRCartier. Must. Trinity Collection. Gadrooned bezel round dial wrist watch. Signed dial. Delivered with two bracelet, one original and a brand new leather one. Original buckle. Diam...Category
20th Century French Wrist Watches
MaterialsVermeil
- Cartier Must De Cartier Vermeil Vendrome WatchBy CartierLocated in San Fernando, CACartier Must de Cartier watch is crafted in 18K gold plated sterling silver construction (Vermeil) and features a Swiss made quartz movem...Category
Late 20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsVermeil
- Cartier Cartier 21 Must de Cartier 9011 Gold Plated Steel Leather 31mm WatchBy CartierLocated in Toronto, CABrand: Cartier Model: Cartier 21 Must de Cartier Reference Number: 9011 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Leather Measurements : 31mm (without...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.