Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

Are Cartier watches automatic?

1 Answer
Are Cartier watches automatic?
Yes, some Cartier watches are automatic but the legendary French luxury house also creates collections that include watches with quartz movements. Cartier’s iconic Tank collection, which includes the Tank Française, the Tank Louis Cartier and other models, features both quartz and automatic options for all kinds of collectors. Each of the watches in the Panthère collection, however, carries a quartz movement.

While quartz watches are powered by a pre-installed battery and a high-frequency quartz crystal, automatic watches rely on a spring system and are self-winding. An automatic watch does not have a battery and is recharged on the wrist owing to the wearer’s movements during the day.

It was Louis Cartier, grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier, who was responsible for bringing watchmaking to the venerable maison when he presented Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont with a wristwatch in 1904. 

Although the pocket watch was the de rigueur men’s accessory of the day, Santos-Dumont found his own pocket watch hard to consult while keeping his plane aloft. Louis fashioned a timepiece with a flat, square case on a leather strap that could be referred to easily at a glance. Named in honor of Louis’s friend, the Santos was eventually produced for sale in 1911. 

Find vintage Cartier watches for sale on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertMay 1, 2024
Shop for Cartier Watches on 1stDibs
Cartier Montre Santos Lady Acier Or 1990s Automatic Steel Gold Santos Lady Watch
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Cartier Santos Lady watch in steel and 18K yellow gold, automatic movement, white dial with railway track minute markers and Roman numerals, adjustable steel and yellow gold bracelet...
Category

1990s French Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, Steel

Cartier Diabolo Ladies Round Watch - 18K Gold & Diamonds
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...
Category

2010s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold

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...
Category

2010s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

White Gold

Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch
By Cartier
Located in Sausalito, CA
With the Ballon Bleu watch, Cartier offers a singular vision of roundness, all curves and harmony. A timeless watchmaking icon whose roundness elegantly embraces the skin. Product D...
Category

2010s Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch
$16,800
Free Shipping
Cartier Santos Galbee Gold and Steel automatic Ladies Wrist Watch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2005 Cartier Santos Galbee collection Ladies reference 2423 Wrist watch, 35 x 25 M.M Stainless Steel 3 piece case with 18k Yellow Gold bezel, Sapphire set crown, Sapphire Glass...
Category

Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Steel

Cartier 1990 Montre Or Jaune Baignoire PM Yellow Gold Casque d Or Bracelet Watch
By Cartier
Located in PARIS, FR
Cartier watch circa 1990 Baignoire model in yellow gold, oval case (legendary), white dial with Roman numerals, quartz movement, blued steel hands, winding mechanism or crown decorat...
Category

1990s French Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Shop All