CARTIER HISTORY

The name Cartier is synonymous with beautiful objects of quality and style. Although Cartier are perhaps better known for their fine jewellery, their signed wristwatches have made a huge impression on the global watch market and have become increasingly collectable over the years. Many of their fabulous watches can be regarded as pieces of jewellery in their own right and Cartier have become renowned throughout the world.

Louis Cartier (1875-1942) has in fact been credited for creating the first mans wristwatch in 1904, when he designed a watch for his friend and client Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont. Santos-Dumont was one of the early pioneers of aviation, and he needed a more suitable timepiece for his dare devil flights. He asked Cartier to design something for him and the “Santos” was born, although it did not go on sale until 1911. By that date Louis Cartier had begun the exclusive production of the first wristwatches at his establishment in Paris on the Rue de la Paix, helped by Edmond Jaeger.

Cartier’s history really begins when Louis Francois Cartier (1819-1904) followed the steps of his grandfather, also called Louis Francois Cartier (1755-1793), by becoming a goldsmith. He started his career as an apprentice to Adolphe Picard, producing handmade jewellery in a small workshop at 29 Rue Montorgeuil, and quickly developed into one of the finest jewellers in Paris. When his master Picard died in 1847 Cartier succeeded him and the company that bore his name was born.

By 1853 Louis Francois was able to expand his business of designing and selling jewellery to the more fashionable Palais-Royal district, in premised at 5 Rue Neuve des petits Champs. He became a favourite of Princess Mathilde, the cousin of Napoleon III, whose patronage opened the door to Parisian society. This made a move to larger premises at 9 Rue des Italiens a necessity.

In 1874 Alfred Cartier (1841-1925) took over the company from his father Louis Francois. Alfred’s three sons – Louis, Pierre and Jaques – would eventually turn the family business into a global empire.

In 1898 Cartier made a final move in Paris and they still remain at 13 Rue de La Paix today. Alfred Cartier was accompanied by his son ans associate Louis Cartier, who proved not only an outstanding goldsmith but business man aswell. Louis Cartier’s genius was to make Cartiers’ name famous worldwide.

Consequentley Cartier expanded their empire, opening a London branch in 1902 and in a New York branch in 1909. Fifty years on Louis Francois Cartier set up his first shop and possessed one of the most influential clienteles in the world, including virtually every crowned head in Europe, most of the maharajas of India, and Kings of Siam and Nepal.

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