Cartier Santos Octagon White Dial Ladies Watch
View Similar Items
Cartier Santos Octagon White Dial Ladies Watch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Case Dimensions:Length: 6 in (152.4 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:This Cartier watch is in really good condition!
- Seller Location:Boca Raton, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: W27501stDibs: LU81437384282
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.
More From This Seller
View AllLate 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
You May Also Like
Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Wrist Watches
18k Gold
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Stainless Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Cartier Panthère Watch Is as Effortlessly Elegant as It Is Wearable
Cartier understands the value of preserving the signature codes of great design, and how to tweak it for modern aficionados.
These White Lotus Guests Have the Most Compelling Watches
Throughout the season, timepieces are clues to the characters' character.