Cartier

When it came to timepieces, the initial Cartier assortment primarily consisted of pocket watches. From 1888 onwards, however, Cartier began to produce wristwatches.

The first wristwatches comprised of jewelry watches for women, who quickly discovered the appeal and comfort of wearing a luxurious Cartier watch.

Alfred Cartier then began to concentrate on the expansion of the brand in the field of luxury watches, which he designed as pocket watches, pendulum clocks, and wristwatches for women.

The initial appeal of the watches soon grew into great success, when in 1889, Louis – the eldest son of Alfred Cartier – joined the company. He was later joined by his two brothers, Pierre, and Jacques, and together, the three brothers strongly established the Cartier name worldwide.

In 1902, Pierre and Jacque opened the first Cartier branch in London. With the expansion of the company, Cartier was issued a royal warrant as King Edward VII, who referred to the company as "the jeweler of kings", ordered 27 tiaras from the prestigious company.

In 1907, Cartier expanded to Russia. Shortly following in 1909, Fifth Avenue New York was able to admire and enjoy the exquisite works of Cartier.

Louis Cartier passed away in 1942 and Pierre Cartier followed in 1965. These were hard times for the Cartier company as the Second World War brought about challenges. The company was split into three parts among the immediate family of the three Cartier brothers, and in 1974, a group of investors purchased the enterprise and Cartier became "Cartier Monde". Since 1997, Cartier has belonged to the Suisse luxury watch group Richemont.

As the story goes, the Cartier trademark symbol, the prowling Panther, leads back to one of the most influential directors that the company has ever known. Jeanne Toussaint (1886-1976) was given the nickname of Panther and she unleashed the feline elegance of the wildcat on Cartier creations. She decorated the roaring 20s with the popular "Panther Ring"(1935) and continued to inspire with the Love and Trinity jewelry collection. Modern yet practical, Toussaint always kept in mind the final effect that she wanted her creations to bestow on lovers of the Cartier brand. Drawing inspiration from magical works of art, she created pieces of jewelry and classic watches in art-deco styles.

Today Cartier pays tribute to the admirable Créatrice: The characteristic, graceful Panter can be found in every Cartier boutique and adorns both the jewelry and the watches of the house. The artfully designed Promenade d'une Panthère watches celebrate the symbol of the wildcat and everything that it stands for – feminine elegance, independence, and free thinking.

Many clients are also aware of the Cartier Panthère collection that is no longer manufactured today and is, therefore, in high-demand on the second-hand market.

In the past, Cartier's strong connection to jewels and the tradition of jewelry making allowed the creation of men's watches to fall into the background.

Although Cartier collections such as the Cartier Tank or the Cartier Santos convince with masculine elements, the detailed design of women's watches have gained the upper hand when it comes to the product range of the luxurious company.

Cartier movements are sourced from a long-standing cooperation that the company has had with Jaeger-LeCoultre, who retains a great reputation as a Swiss watchmaker.

For several years now, a new philosophy prevails in the Cartier house: under the direction of Carole Forestier, the development of the company is focused on watchmaking technology and high-precision standards.

As the current chief developer, Forestier provides – with passion and energy – top craftsmanship in design.

Following the year 2000, Cartier opened its Maison de Métiers d’Arts in the Swiss watch town of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the company became a major name in Haute Horlogerie. The company also presented its first caliber, the Cartier caliber 1904, demonstrating the new focus of the company. Lacking in adornment and outfitted with efficient and reliable mechanisms, the complete in-house production of luxurious Cartier timepieces has been fully demonstrated. Since then, a series of Cartier manufactured calibers have been produced, and the watchmakers continue to surprise yearly with new finesse.

Cartier is almost in a category all of its own when it comes to the long list of iconic models it has launched over the years. For an overview, here are this brand's top five bestsellers at CHRONEXT.

No 1: the Cartier Tank

With its rectangular watch case, the Cartier Tank is one of the most glamorous watches in the world, highly sought after by first ladies and Hollywood stars alike. This timeless beauty has been seducing buyers right and left since 1917, thanks to its deceptively simple design and classic Roman numerals. This immortal Cartier ladies watch is now available with diamond indices on a stainless steel or leather strap. With its peerless pedigree, the Tank can be at the high end of Cartier women's watches prices. Depending on the particular reference code, you might pay anywhere between £1,570 and £225,000.

No 2: Cartier Panthère

Rightly reckoned a timeless icon, the Cartier Panthère is prized around the globe for its magical grace. There's something about the perfect proportions of that rectangular case that gives this model a unique, long lasting appeal. If you want a Cartier ladies watch in gold, the Panthère is a fine option, with variations in yellow, rose or white. You can snap up this model from us for around £2,690, a little under some other Cartier women's watches prices.

No 3: Cartier Santos

The Cartier Santos is one of the Paris brand's most perennial designs, a prime example of watchmaking at its best. This pioneering pilot's watch owes its unique charm to its small diameter and its square case with rounded corners. You can order this model in a variety of precious metals, with or without diamond trimmings. New at CHRONEXT this watch retails at around £2,800, but you can shop for pre-owned examples starting at around £1,430.

No 4: Cartier Ballon Bleu

Words like unconventional and innovative leap to mind when describing the Cartier Ballon Bleu. The watch is named after the blue sapphire en cabochon set into the winding crown. Flamboyant sword-shaped hands complete the overall picture, adding the finishing flourish to a design that's unexpected but ultimately harmonious. Looking for a real statement piece for your wrist? You can bag this Cartier watch for women from £3,700.

No 5: Cartier Ronde

One of the renowned French jeweller's latest creations, the Cartier Ronde has achieved cult status in no time. Characterized by its round watch case and large Roman numerals, it comes in gold or steel with an alligator leather strap. You can buy this Cartier watch for women from £1,790.

The most affordable option: Buy a pre-owned Cartier women's watch

If you're keen to experience the pleasure of owning a luxury watch, don't forget the pre-owned market. Here you may be able to pick up your dream watch at a significantly lower price, which in turn can make it an even better long term investment. Trusted dealers such as CHRONEXT have a large selection of pre-owned watches. For example, you can treat yourself to a Cartier women's watch like the Pasha starting at £1,500.

Luxurious watch collections from the traditional house of Cartier delight watch men and women worldwide. The Cartier Santos is an exceptionally renowned collection that was presented in 1904. The Cartier Santos has been classified as the very first pilot's watch as well as one of the first men's watches created by Cartier.

The pilot's watch came about as a result of a collaboration between two close friends: Louis Cartier and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont.

A cascading wave of success came along with the commercial production of the Cartier Santos in 1911 and propelled the Cartier brand forward in the field of luxury watches.

In 1917, the Cartier Tank spurred a sensation with a shape that is reminiscent of a tank. Evidently, the wristwatch drew inspiration from a battle tank and symbolically, the timepiece represents the liberation of France.

Following the year 1932, a Cartier watch was produced for the Pasha of Marrakech thereafter resulting in an aftershock of numerous draft design and countless variations. One Pasha draft, in particular, was created by the legendary watch designer Gérald Genta.

Currently, both the Tank and the Pasha are still among the watch collection from Cartier. The models are recognized and appreciated around the globe and never cease to amaze with their exceptional design and historical backgrounds.

Do you want to sell a Cartier watch instead of buying one? No problem – at CHRONEXT we offer various options for selling unworn and used luxury watches. Whether it's a trade-in, a commission or a direct sale, we advise you on the optimal opportunities for your model and help you get the best price possible. Simply fill in the online form or contact our Sales & Service team by phone or email. We have many years in the luxury timepiece sector and are happy to put this at your disposal when you wish to sell your watch, or, to help you with financing options.