Cartier Wrist Watches
King Edward VII of England called Cartier the “jeweler of kings and king of jewelers.” Established in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, the French maison was from its beginnings a darling of the aristocracy. But Cartier is also known for its luxury watches. It was the founder’s grandson, Louis Cartier, who cemented its reputation as a trendsetting watchmaker. In 1904, he made one of the first men's wristwatches for a friend, Brazilian coffee-plantation heir Alberto Santos-Dumont.
Although the pocket watch was the de rigueur men’s accessory of the day, Santos-Dumont, a pioneering aviator, found his own 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.
Deemed daring and modern, men’s wristwatches became a vogue among the elite. Capitalizing on his success, Louis released the Tonneau in 1906. Its barrel-shaped case, another departure from the traditional round pocket watch, was embraced by other savvy watchmakers and remains a perennial favorite.
However, the Tonneau was soon eclipsed by Louis’s most iconic design. During the First World War, he was so impressed by the Renault tanks he saw on the Western Front that in 1917, he created a watch inspired by their industrial forms — the Cartier Tank watch.
Louis’s inventive streak didn’t stop at men’s watches. In 1906, he took a traditional round ladies’ case and stretched it into an elegant oval. The style was later dubbed the Baignoire for its resemblance to the elongated curves of a bathtub. In 1914, he commissioned artist George Barbier to illustrate an invitation to an upcoming exhibition. The resulting Dame à la panthère marked the debut of the animal that would become synonymous with the house.
That same year, Cartier introduced its first jewel incorporating the panther motif: a diamond watch with onyx spots, the inspiration for the current women’s Panthère model. After Louis’s death, in 1942, his legacy continued in the brand’s penchant for timepieces with unusual shapes. Its ultimate expression may be the Dalí-esque Crash watch, introduced in 1967 and said to be modeled on a Baignoire pulled from a car wreck.
Browse an expansive collection of unique Cartier wristwatches and pocket watches today on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Cartier
Cartier Panthere Midsize 3 Row Watch
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Cartier Panthere Midsize Ladies Watch. 27mm Stainless Steel case with 18K yellow gold smooth bezel. Off-White dial with blue steel hands and black Roman numeral hour markers. Minute ...
Category
1990s Cartier Wrist Watches
Materials
Stainless Steel
Cartier NY Tank 18k Yellow Gold 1980's by Bueche Girod
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Cartier Tank 18K yellow gold watch. 23.3X30.7mm, lug to lug, case size with smooth bezel. White dial with black Roman numeral hour markers. Aftermarke...
Category
1980s Vintage Cartier Wrist Watches
Materials
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tank Louis Cartier Large WA3001A7 Diamond Dial and Bezel Cartier link bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Cartier Tank Louis large. 23.7X30.7mm, lug to lug, 18K yellow gold case with factory diamond bezel and dial. Cream diamond "string" dial with gold-tone hands and Roman numeral & diamond hour marker. Factory 18K yellow gold fluted bracelet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Wrist Watches
Materials
18k Gold
Vintage Cartier Tank Paris 18K Yellow Gold & Pave Dial Bezel Box & Papers
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Cartier Tank Paris Ladies Watch. 24mm 18K yellow gold case with factory diamond bezel. Factory pave dial with blue steel hands. 18K yellow gold associated bracelet with 18K yellow go...
Category
1970s Vintage Cartier Wrist Watches
Materials
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Cartier Cougar Wristwatch Ref 887907. Diamond Bezel, 18ct Yellow Gold, 1990..
By Cartier
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and very attractive Cartier Cougar, reference 887907, features a 26mm yellow case with diamond bezel, and the desirable panthere 18k yellow gold bracelet. Presented in ex...
Category
1990s Cartier Wrist Watches
Cartier wrist watches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a range of Cartier wrist watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using steel. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Cartier jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Cartier diamond wrist watches, from our inventory of 26, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 479 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wrist watches by Omega, Mauboussin, and Bell & Ross. Prices for Cartier wrist watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $1,400,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $9,356.
Creators Similar to Cartier
Questions About Cartier Wrist Watches
- 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.
- 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 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 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 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.
- 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025Cartier is special for at least a few reasons. The French luxury brand is one of the most well-known and internationally revered jewelers in the world.
Cartier has helped create style trends over the course of its long history, including playing a prominent role in defining Art Deco jewelry. The brand designed one of the first modern wristwatches for men — the Santos de Cartier — and its Panthère motif and Love bracelet are universally renowned among lovers of fine jewelry.
Additionally, it should come as no surprise that Cartier engagement rings are among the most desirable on the jewelry market for those hoping to be betrothed. The house, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry in the late 1800s, identifying the strong, lustrous metal as ideal for bringing out the true qualities of diamonds.
Find Cartier jewelry for sale on 1stDibs. - Is Cartier the same as Rolex?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024No, Cartier is not the same as Rolex. Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in Paris in 1847. Some of its most iconic watches include the Tank, the Santos, the Ballon Bleu, the Calibre de Cartier and the Drive de Cartier. Hans Wilsdorf established Rolex in London in 1905. Today, the maker is well-known for its sophisticated watches, including the Submariner, the Daytona, the DateJust, the Oyster Perpetual and the GMT-Master II. Find a selection of Cartier and Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024There is no definitive answer to the question of which is cheaper, Rolex or Cartier. Some entry-level Cartier watches do tend to have lower starting price points than some Rolex watches. However, both makers offer a wide variety of watches, so it's not accurate to say that Cartier is always the cheaper option. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Cartier and Rolex watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024Why it is called the Cartier Crash relates to the unique shape of the watch. The case and dial of the timepiece have a smashed, wavy appearance, similar to what a watch might look like if it were smashed or crushed in a crash or collision. There are various stories of how this imaginative design came into being. Some people claim that the designers Jean-Jacques Cartier and Rupert Emmerson got the idea for the timepiece after a customer brought in a damaged watch for repair. Another theory is that the prominent melting clock in Salvador Dalí's painting The Persistence of Memory served as the inspiration. Shop a variety of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
- 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. - Are all Cartier rings gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023No, not all Cartier rings are gold. Although the luxury jewelry maker produces many white, rose and yellow gold pieces, some rings are platinum. The French jewelry house, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry in the late 1800s, identifying the strong, lustrous metal as ideal for bringing out the true qualities of diamonds. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Cartier rings.
- Are Cartier diamonds real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Yes, Cartier diamonds are real. The French luxury jewelry maker follows stringent standards when selecting the diamonds that go into its pieces. For example, the central brilliant cut diamonds in Cartier rings that are over 0.3 carats in weight must be classified as Very Good or Excellent to be used by the brand, and Cartier rarely chooses diamonds with clarity ratings below VS2 or color ratings below H. Shop a selection of Cartier diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- How do I wear Cartier earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022How to wear Cartier earrings depends on your personal preferences. Small hoops and studs can balance chunky statement necklaces, while dramatic drops and oversized hoops can become the bold focal point of an outfit. Shop a variety of Cartier earrings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Whether a Cartier watch is bigger than a Rolex watch depends on the particular timepiece. Cartier offers watches in sizes ranging from 28 millimeters for women to 44 millimeters for men. Rolex's smallest women's watch is bigger than Cartier's at 31 millimeters, but the watchmaker's largest men's watch is only 43 millimeters. Find a variety of Rolex and Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023To authenticate a Cartier lighter, locate the serial number. Then, contact Cartier’s customer service team to assess whether it is a genuine serial number and whether the product type and style match your piece. Check the official Cartier website for current contact information. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Cartier lighters.
- Does Cartier make earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Cartier does make earrings as well as a slew of other exquisite and high-end pieces of jewelry. Established in 1847 in Paris, France, this luxury goods brand is known throughout the world for its jewelry and watches. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Cartier pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023While the Panthère de Cartier watch collection was initially launched in 1983, Cartier included panther spots (and only the spots) in diamonds and onyx on at least one women’s watch in 1914 and another in 1915. These creations were conceived by the Cartier designer Charles Jacqueau. The cat’s major breakthrough came in 1949, with a brooch on which Jeanne Toussaint worked hand in glove with designer Peter Lemarchand. The luxury jewelry house now offers dozens of versions of the Panthère de Cartier timepiece, including double- and triple-wrap bracelets, a series of cuffs and a diamond-encrusted panther spot version. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Cartier pieces from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The original Cartier Tank watch, which was emblematic of a stark departure from the renowned jewelry house’s curved and round watch faces in that its case resembled the FT-17’s cockpit, served as a sleek update to the Santos watch. Crafted in 1917, one year before the Great War came to a close, Cartier’s Tank watch reportedly borrowed its clean, sharp lines and boxy silhouette from France’s legendary Renault FT-17 light tank, itself a compact and extraordinary design that inspired numerous copies. When the Tank watch went to market, Cartier offered a limited run in Paris. After those quickly sold, it was given a name, the Tank Normale. The timepiece took off in popularity, but only slightly more than 30 were made in 1920 and annual production has been slow over the years since then. Find Cartier Tank watches on 1stDibs.