Panthered Cartier
Vintage 1980s Modern Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
2010s Fashion Rings
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Collectible Jewelry
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Hoop Earrings
18k Gold
2010s Wrist Watches
Vintage 1970s Bangles
Emerald, Onyx, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Platters and Trays
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx
Early 2000s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
1990s Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Onyx, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
20th Century Wrist Watches
Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s More Rings
Emerald, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Wrist Watches
Quartz, Steel
Late 20th Century More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Cuff Bracelets
Gold, Steel, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
20th Century Brooches
Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Steel
20th Century Link Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
1990s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Wrist Watches
Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s Modern Brooches
Yellow Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
20th Century Wrist Watches
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Modern Wrist Watches
21st Century and Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Steel
Early 2000s Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold
20th Century Wrist Watches
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, White Gold
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, White Gold
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Cartier Biography and Important Works
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 /buy/panthere-cartier/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle reportedly inspired by medieval chastity belts.
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. It’s certainly one of the most well known and internationally beloved jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, rings, necklaces and other accessories.