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.
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- Are Cartier watches automatic?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 1, 2024Yes, 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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Cartier engagement ring can cost between $3,000 and $800,000. The price depends on the diamond's carat weight and quality.
- Is Cartier a luxury watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Cartier watches are considered luxury watches. Cartier is a noted jeweler, taking that attention to detail and access to high-quality metals and jewels to their watches—they spare no expense and are highly desirable. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Cartier watches from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Is Cartier cheaper in Paris?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Cartier pieces may be cheaper in Paris than they are in the U.S., but that's because of the exchange rate. Cartier doesn't price the pieces depending on the country.
- How much is a Cartier worth?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024How much a Cartier is worth varies. Many Cartier pieces do appreciate in value over time, but their potential selling prices depend on their age, style, type, availability and other factors. The condition also greatly impacts value, and there can be variability between very similar pieces. For example, one 1930 Tutti Frutti fetched $1.34 million at an auction in 2020, but a simpler one sold for $508,000 in 2023. Because it can be difficult to estimate the value of a piece on your own, experts recommend consulting a certified appraiser or experienced dealer. Shop a wide variety of Cartier jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
- Why is Cartier so popular?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024There are a few reasons why Cartier is so popular. For one thing, the French luxury house is known for its very long history of unparalleled prestige and quality craftsmanship. Cartier has been producing extraordinary jewelry, watches and accessories since 1847. While jewelry lovers have long been enthusiastic about Cartier’s elegant and streamlined designs for bracelets, rings, necklaces and other pieces, the brand is also known for innovation. It pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry, and its artisans were so mindful of trends in fashion that the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Later, Cartier’s Art Deco-era pieces would help define the movement with which they are associated. One of the brand’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch, one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. Today’s influencers continue to help popularize the brand, increasing the demand for certain pieces like Cartier buffalo horn sunglasses and the Cartier Love bracelet, an icon of modernist jewelry. Find a wide range of Cartier watches, jewelry and eyewear on 1stDibs.
- What is Cartier famous for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Cartier is famous for producing jewelry and watches out of rare and luxury-grade materials and creating innovative designs, often packed with symbolism. Some of the jeweler's most famous pieces include the modern Love and Trinity bracelets and its custom-made antique and vintage jewelry like the Crocodile and Patiala necklaces. Find a range of Cartier jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
- What is the Cartier symbol?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Today, the Cartier symbol, or logo, is the luxury house's name written in a clean serif font that mimics cursive handwriting. Typically, the logo is either black on white or white on a black background. Its refined and understated appearance references the high standards that have long been associated with this celebrated brand.
- Is Cartier real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021As one of the top luxury jewelry houses in the world, Cartier uses some of the finest quality materials. The company uses 18k gold in their jewelry and real diamonds.
- Does Cartier rose gold fade?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Cartier rose gold doesn't tarnish but over many years of wearing, rose gold generally is said to become darker. Rose gold allegedly becomes slightly yellower in tone, toward a traditional gold.
- How much is a Cartier bracelet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The price of Cartier bracelets varies based on age, condition, and rarity. The least expensive versions of the Cartier Love bracelet, for example, can still cost around $4,000. On 1stDibs, there is a variety of Cartier bracelets for sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023There are at least a few things that make Cartier so special. Cartier is one of the most well-known and internationally revered jewelers in the world. The French luxury brand has helped to define style trends. Cartier made one of the first modern wristwatches for men� the Santos de Cartier� and its panth�re motif and Love bracelet are internationally renowned. Every piece produced by Cartier is also carefully crafted out of high-quality materials. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Cartier pieces.
- What is Cartier Vermeil?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Cartier Vermeil means a timepiece made by the French luxury jewelry house of Cartier out of a material called vermeil. It is a precious metal produced by combining genuine gold and silver. Shop a variety of Cartier Vermeil watches on 1stDibs.
- What is Cartier Vendôme?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The meaning of Cartier Vendôme varies. Most often, the term describes a line of watches made by the French luxury jewelry house. However, the company has also produced sunglasses and wedding jewelry with the style name Cartier Vendôme. Shop a variety of Cartier Vendôme watches on 1stDibs.
- What is the Cartier logo?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024The Cartier logo is a pair of interlocking Cs. However, many people associate the panther with the French luxury jewelry maker more than its actual logo. Louis Cartier incorporated the feline figure into its design lexicon. In 1914, Cartier hired illustrator George Barbier to design advertisements for the jewelry house. Barbier drafted a drawing that featured a glamorous woman with an elegant panther at her feet, and Cartier loved it. He had an additional connection to the panther in the form of his alleged romantic interest, fellow Cartier designer Jeanne Toussaint, who adored the animal so much that she decorated her apartment with furs and donned a coat of panther fur. Cartier gave her the long-lasting nickname Panthère. Since then, Cartier has offered watches, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and earrings inspired by the panther. Find a diverse assortment of Cartier jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Why Cartier is so expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021One of the reasons Cartier is so expensive is because, since its inception in 1847, the brand has had a massive celebrity fan base that spans royals, movie stars, singers and socialites. The brand also uses the highest quality metals and gems in their pieces, rendering them expensive to produce. Lastly, most Cartier pieces are easy to identify, making brand recognition a key factor in the brand's exclusivity.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Cartier only uses high-quality diamonds in their jewelry designs. The brand works only with gemstones that rank as Very Good or Excellent for cut and between IF and VS2 for clarity according to GIA standards. On 1stDibs, find a range of Cartier diamond jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023The most popular Cartier jewelry is open to debate. Because the French luxury jewelry maker has produced many iconic lines and style trends change over time, it can be difficult to state which is the most popular at any given moment. Some highly sought-after Cartier pieces include those from the Love, Trinity and Panthère de Cartier collections, as well as the Juste un Clou bracelet. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of Cartier jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023There are a few things that are special about the Cartier Santos watch. One is its history. When it debuted in 1904, it was one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. Louis Cartier designed the timepiece for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying. A unique feature of the Santos is that it comes with both a bracelet and a leather strap, plus a tool that lets you easily swap out the components. Also, many people appreciate the watch’s timeless details, which haven't changed much since its inception. Shop a large selection of Cartier Santos watches on 1stDibs.
- Are Cartier watches respected?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, Cartier watches are respected by many collectors due to their innovative designs, reliable mechanisms and fine craftsmanship. One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch—one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. Louis Cartier designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, the popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying. Another of Cartier’s famous timepieces is the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of Cartier watches.
- Is a Cartier watch worth it?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024Many watch lovers believe that Cartier watches are worth it. The French luxury house is one of the most well-known and internationally revered watchmakers in the world. One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch, one of the world's first modern wrist watches for men. Cartier’s other famous watches include the Tank watch, inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Cartier watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Cartier watches and other watches for sale on 1stDibs.
- Is the Cartier screwdriver gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Cartier website does not state whether the Love bracelet screwdriver is 18k gold like the bracelet. However, according to owners, the screwdriver is not gold but gold-plated. New screwdrivers can be purchased if you lose or break one or they may be replaced by Cartier. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Cartier Love jewelry from top sellers around the world.
- Is it worth it to buy Cartier?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024Many jewelry and watch lovers believe that buying a Cartier is worth it. The French luxury house is undeniably one of the best-known and internationally revered jewelers. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Cartier pieces is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find a diverse assortment of Cartier watches and jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What diamonds does Cartier use?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Cartier exclusively uses diamonds from classes D through H to ensure that the gemstones are colorless and have little or no fluorescence. Their high standards contribute to the quality of the luxury jewelry maker's pieces. Shop a collection of Cartier diamonds from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the Cartier Crash?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Rupert Emmerson and Jean-Jacques Cartier designed the Cartier Crash watch. It debuted in 1967. The classic Cartier Oval provided a starting point for the watch, and its crumpled dial reflected the mod fashion trends of the 1960s. Shop a variety of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
- Does Cartier have rings for men?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Cartier sells rings for men. The luxury jewelry house produces numerous band rings, including the 1895 wedding band, the C DE, the Love and the D'Amour wedding band. In addition, the brand offers a ring version of its Trinity bracelet. The piece combines yellow, white and rose gold bands to symbolize love, friendship and fidelity. Find a selection of Cartier rings on 1stDibs.
- Does Cartier use platinum?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Cartier uses platinum in the production of their jewelry and other items. In fact, Alfred Cartier and his three sons are credited with mastering this metal and creating a process that made it possible for jewelers to use this metal efficiently. Find vintage and contemporary Cartier jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Is Panthere designed by Cartier?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Cartier Panthere is one of the brand's most distinctive and iconic shapes, replicating a panther head adorned with gems and jewels. The first panther pattern to appear in the Cartier line was on a watch for women, created in 1914. Shop a collection of Cartier jewelry and watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Cartier a British company?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Cartier is not a British company. The luxury jewelry maker was founded in Paris in 1847. However, the brand was a jeweler to the British royals, with King Edward VII ordering 27 tiaras for his coronation. Shop a collection of Cartier jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Is Cartier Crash for men?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Originally, the Cartier Crash was a watch designed for men. However, upon its reintroduction in 2012, the watch was also marketed towards women, with a gorgeous bracelet in either an 18k white gold or rose gold case and diamond crown. Shop a collection of Cartier jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What gold is a Cartier bracelet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Most Cartier bracelets are 18-karat gold. Some pieces like the acclaimed Love bracelet come in yellow, rose and white gold. In addition, Cartier makes some of their bracelets out of platinum. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of Cartier bracelets.