Cartier
Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier when he took over the workshop of his master, Adolfe Picard. In 1874, his son Alfred Cartier took over the administration of the company, but it was Alfred's sons Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing the world-wide brand name of Cartier.
The company has a long and distinguished history of serving royalty. In 1899, The Prince of Wales hailed Cartier as "King of Jewellers" and Cartier received an order for 27 tiaras for the coronation of the future King. King Edward V11 was crowned in 1902 and in 1904 he honoured the Company with the royal warrant of supplier to the Royal Court of England. Similar warrants soon followed by all the courts of Europe.
Louis Cartier took a particular interest in watches. In 1904, his friend the Brazilian aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont complained of the unreliability and impracticality of using pocket watches while flying. Cartier rose to the challenge, designing a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was not only a hit with Santos-Dumont, but also with Cartier's many clients. Thus, the "Santos" was born.
In 1907, Cartier signed a contract with Edmond Jaeger, who agreed to exclusively supply the movements for Cartier watches. By this time, Cartier had branches in London, New York and St. Petersburg. The introduction of the Bagnoire and Tortue models (both of which are still in production today), took place in 1912. In 1917, inspired by the newly introduced war machines on the Western Front, Louis Cartier designed the most famous Cartier watch, the Cartier Tank watch. This line too has survived, with over thirty varieties now being made.
Even with their more recent wristwatches, Cartier has successfully continued their emphasis on design. In doing so they have remained true to Cartier's enduring passion for style and fashion that has made the brand so desirable throughout the world.
