Cartier

Louis-François Cartier, the founder of the renowned Cartier brand, was born in Paris in 1819. His birth marked the beginning of a legacy that would revolutionize the jewelry and watchmaking industry.

In 1847, Parisian watchmaker Louis-François Cartier founded the renowned luxury watch and jewellery brand Cartier, which has become one of the most prestigious in the world.

Cartier has been designing luxury watches and jewellery for over 170 years, creating striking timepieces and stunning gemstones that exemplify luxury, quality, and master craftsmanship.

Following the end of the Paris Commune in 1871, the future success of the Cartier business was solidified. The aftermath of the Commune led to a more stable environment in France, allowing Alfred Cartier to market his new collection to a wealthier clientele.

In 1874, Louis-Francoise's son, Alfred, became the leader of Maison de Cartier and introduced platinum into jewelry making, enhancing the durability of the designs and guiding the company through challenges.

In 1899, Cartier found a showroom in Rue de La Paix after moving several times due to the growing success and demand for bespoke jewelry.

At the turn of the 20th century, Cartier became the official supplier to prominent royal figures such as King Edward VII of England, Alphonse XIII of Spain, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, solidifying its reputation as a prestigious jeweler.

In 1902, King Edward VII ordered 27 tiaras from Cartier for his coronation and granted the company a royal warrant in 1904. This marked the beginning of Cartier's long history of sales to royalty.

Louis' friend Alberto Santos-Dumont commissioned a wrist-worn watch for piloting his dirigible, popularizing the wristwatch as a fashion accessory for men.

In 1909, Pierre Cartier opened a six-storey store on the corner of 52nd Street in New York, after attracting wealthy and aristocratic families to his single storey Fifth Avenue store. He paid for this new store with a million-dollar double strand natural pearl necklace.

Pierre Cartier sold the famous 'Hope' blue diamond to American customer Evalyn Walsh McLean in 1910, marking a significant transaction in the history of precious gemstones.

In 1911, Louis Cartier introduced the Santos Dumont wristwatch, a pioneering timepiece that marked a shift from pocket watches to wristwatches. This innovation laid the foundation for modern watch design and functionality.

In 1912, Pierre Cartier acquired the renowned Cartier Mansion in New York located at 653 Fifth Avenue by exchanging a double-strand of pearls and an additional $100 with Mr. and Mrs. Morton F. Plant. This deal marked a significant moment in Cartier's history.

Inspired by the Renault FT tanks seen on the Western Front, Louis designed the iconic Cartier Tank watch, blending military aesthetics with elegance.

In 1922, Louis Cartier introduced the Santos and Tank watches, revolutionizing timekeeping by popularizing wristwatches over traditional pocket watches. The Santos Dumont wristwatch was launched in 1911, followed by the iconic Cartier Tank watch in 1917, both of which remain popular and in production today.

In 1924, Jean Cocteau commissioned Louis Cartier to design the Trinity ring and bracelet, symbolizing love, fidelity, and friendship. This iconic collection has become a timeless classic in luxury jewelry, known for its exquisite design and deep symbolism.

In 1925, the Maharaja of Patiala placed the largest single order in Cartier's history for the Patiala Necklace and other jewelry. The order was worth a significant amount and showcased Cartier's appeal to Indian royalty.

The iconic red box, a signature creation of Cartier dating back to the early years, has made appearances on the Broadway stage and was used as a cinema screen for a pop-up exhibition in 2013 at London's Selfridges department store.

By the time World War II was approaching, the Cartier brand had reached the pinnacle of the jewelry industry. Its reputation and influence were firmly established, setting the stage for future success.

In 1942, both Louis and Jacques Cartier passed away within months of each other. Pierre took over the leadership of the Cartier business after their deaths.

In 1964, the French family-owned brand Cartier became a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group, marking a significant shift in ownership and management.

In 1966, Mexican movie star María Félix visited the Cartier flagship and commissioned a snake necklace that would be the size of a real serpent. The 56cm piece took two years to make and is set with 2,473 brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds, fully flexible like a real snake.

In 1969, Aldo Cipullo, a jewelry designer at Cartier New York, designed the iconic Love Bracelet. This unique piece, symbolizing love and commitment, was gifted to several famous couples, solidifying its status as a timeless symbol of affection.

In 1970, Aldo Cipullo created a bold bracelet resembling a curved nail, symbolizing sophistication and individuality.

In 1972, Robert Hocq, the owner of Silver Match lighter, collaborated with a group of investors led by financier Joseph Kanoui to purchase Cartier Paris. This marked the beginning of a series of acquisitions that would bring all Cartier branches under unified ownership.

In 1974, the branches of Cartier in Paris, London, and New York were reunited under unified ownership. This final acquisition of Cartier New York completed the process of bringing all prestigious establishments together.

In June 1979, Elizabeth Taylor sold the 69.42 carat diamond pendant necklace, a gift from Richard Burton, to fund the construction of a hospital in Botswana.

In 1981, Alain Dominique Perrin was appointed Chairman of Cartier SAA and Cartier International.

The next year, Micheline Kanoui, wife of Joseph Kanoui, became head of jewellery design and launched her first collection 'Nouvelle Joaillerie.'

The Cartier Panthère collection was first introduced in 1983, featuring a stylized panther motif, sleek geometric designs, and the use of precious metals and gemstones. It became known for its iconic design and opulent essence.

In 1984, Perrin founded the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain to bring Cartier into the twenty-first century, by forming an association with living artists.

In 1986, the French Ministry for Culture appointed Perrin head of the 'Mission sur le mécénat d'entreprise' (a commission to study business patronage of the arts).

Two years later, Cartier gained a majority holding in Piaget and Baume & Mercier.

Perrin founded an international committee in 1991, Comité International de la Haute Horlogerie, to organize its first salon, held on 15 April 1991.

In 1993, the 'Vendôme Luxury Group' was formed as an umbrella company to combine Cartier, Dunhill, Montblanc, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Karl Lagerfeld, Chloé, Sulka, Hackett, and Seeger.

In 1994, the Cartier Foundation moved to the Rive Gauche and opened headquarters in a building designed for it by Jean Nouvel.

The next year, a major exhibition of the Cartier Antique Collection was held in Asia.

In 1996, the Lausanne Hermitage Foundation in Switzerland exhibited 'Splendours of the Jewellery', presenting a hundred and fifty years of products by Cartier.

In 2012, Cartier was owned, through Richemont, by the South African Rupert family, and Elle Pagels, a granddaughter of Pierre Cartier.

Laurent E. Feniou became the Managing Director of Cartier in 2013.

In 2019, Cartier launched the Clash de Cartier collection, which is known for its innovative design merging studs, beads, and clous into a ribbed mesh. The collection has been praised for its attitude and elegance by Harper's Bazaar magazine.