About Cartier

Cartier has been part of the fine jewelry and watchmaking world since 1847, when Louis-François Cartier took over the Paris workshop where he trained. From those early days, the brand stood out for its clean aesthetic and precise craftsmanship—qualities that quickly attracted the attention of Paris’s upper class.

By the early 1900s, Cartier had become a name that resonated well beyond France. A pivotal moment came in 1902 when King Edward VII of England ordered 27 tiaras for his coronation, later referring to Cartier as the “jeweler of kings.” That royal endorsement opened doors across European courts and cemented the brand’s status as a go-to for aristocracy.

Cartier expanded steadily through the 20th century, opening boutiques in London, New York, and other global cities. The business stayed in the family for over a hundred years, with each generation shaping the house’s style and reach. In 1964, the Cartier family sold the company, but its design language and identity remained intact. Today, Cartier operates under the Richemont Group, which also owns brands like Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

What makes Cartier stand out isn’t just its longevity—it’s how consistent the brand has been in evolving while keeping certain visual codes intact. The use of gold in yellow, rose, and white tones plays a big role, often paired with diamonds in settings that lean structural and architectural. Unlike brands that focus heavily on colored gemstones, Cartier tends to spotlight bold shapes and refined metalwork. The Panthère motif, which first appeared in 1914, is a good example: elegant but assertive, and deeply tied to the house’s identity.

Cartier’s watches deserve their own mention. The Tank, designed in 1917 and inspired by the shape of military tanks, is a design classic. So is the Santos, which dates back even further and is one of the earliest wristwatches ever made. These pieces helped define the modern wristwatch as something both functional and stylistically sharp.

At our shop, we’re especially interested in vintage Cartier. Estate pieces often carry details and finishes you don’t always find in contemporary production. Whether it’s a Love bracelet with an early screw mechanism or a less common variation of the Trinity ring, vintage Cartier has a way of showing the brand’s history through subtle variations in style and technique. Each item reflects a specific moment in design—and sometimes even a bit of mystery about where it’s been and who wore it.