Cartier Watches: a short history
Cartier S.A. is a French company internationally renowned for its high quality – and expensive – jewellery and watches. Tiaras and million-dollar items are common to Cartier.
Cartier S.A. is a French company internationally renowned for its high quality – and expensive – jewellery and watches. The company is famous for its association with the Royal Families and aristocracy of numerous countries. Tiaras and million-dollar items are common to Cartier.
The company was formed in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. His son, Alfred Cartier later ran the company and it was Alfred’s sons Louis, Pierre and Jacques that built the world-wide name of Cartier.
in 1904, after an aviator friend complained that pocket watches were impractical for flying, Louis Cartier created a square, flat wristwatch for him. The Santos sold to many other of Cartier’s clients and it is regarded as the world’s first men’s wristwatch; it is still available today. (Note that Patek Phillipe had already made a women’s wristwatch as a special commission).
By the 1920’s, Cartier watches were using Jaeger movements, but they also used movements from Audmars-Piguet, LeCoultre, Movado and Vacheron Constantin.
The company remained family run until the 1960’s and then an investment group bought Cartier in 1972. The company continued to grow as a horological firm and purchased the controlling interest of Piaget and Baume & Mercier.
eBay USA
On eBay UK: | NEW CARTIER HOT Santos Popular Business Men's Belt Quartz Watch £ 30.99 |
 | Must De Cartier Tank 2416 - 22mm Sterling Silver Unisex Watch - With Box £ 1,300.00 |
| NEW CARTIER HOT Santos Popular Business Men's Belt Quartz Watch £ 39.69 |
 | The Cartier Tank Watch - 9782080281883 £ 41.80 |
 | Cartier Panthers Ladies Stainless Steel Watch Small £ 2,080.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 Midi £ 3,250.00 |
 | Must De Cartier Tank Quartz Ladies Watch Parts, No movement, Spares/Repairs £ 500.00 |
 | NEW HOT CARTIER HOT Santos Popular Business Men's Belt Quartz Watch £ 37.99 |
 | Cartier Santos Galbee- Ref 1565 24mm (2003) £ 1,850.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Solo Large £ 2,000.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Ladies Watch 2384 with UK Cartier Certificate FULL SET £ 2,299.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Galbee 31mm Roman Numeral Men's Watch - 1564 £ 2,950.00 |
 | Cartier Must de Cartier Tank Rectangular Gold Quartz Vermeil Watch - 5057001 £ 1,450.00 |
 | Cartier Silver Men’s £ 32.99 |
 | Two Cartier Watches For Parts & Repair Working Order Needs Hands £ 1,000.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Blue Men's Watch - WSSA0063 £ 4,500.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Must- Small- Nearly New Condition £ 2,600.00 |
 | Cartier Ronde Solo de Cartier W6701011 £ 1,450.00 |
 | Cartier Autoscaph 21 Watch Men's Swiss Luxury Discontinued RRP £1500 £ 950.00 |
 | Diamond Cartier Watch £ 255.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 W20106X8 Mens 35mm x44mm Automatic Watch Box Papers Guarantee £ 3,995.00 |
 | Vintage 1960s 18k Gold Cartier Bueche Girod Wristwatch £ 1,475.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Watch Brown Must de Cartier Vintage 18ct Gold Plated Used £ 949.00 |
 | Diamond Cartier Watch £ 255.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Dumont - WSSA0023 / Full Box and Papers / Mint Condition £ 2,725.00 |
 | Cartier Santos White Unisex Adult Watch - WSSA0029 Unworn 2024 £ 5,399.00 |
 | Must de Cartier Tank 18ct Gold on Silver Lady's Hand Wound Mechanical Watch. £ 1,310.00 |
 | Rolex / Cartier Explorer 5500 £ 3,496.00 |
 | Santos de Cartier, Medium WSSA0029- Unworn, Full Set £ 5,300.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Dumont Silver Men's Watch Large WSSA0022 £ 4,000.00 |
 | Cartier Must Tank Ivory Roman Index SM Vintage 18K Gold Quartz Watch Elegant £ 1,831.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Unworn 2025 WSSA0039 Large ADLC £ 6,850.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 Mid Size W20076X8 £ 3,495.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Galbee Watch - 1567 (24mm) £ 2,350.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Dumont Small 38mm Stainless Steel & Blue Leather Strap WSSA0023 £ 2,836.27 |
 | Cartier Tank - Must de Cartier - Vintage £ 911.10 |
 | Rare Cartier Colisee Vermail Ladies Watch. £ 799.00 |
 | Cartier Ballon Bleu 36mm Stainless Steel £ 2,650.00 |
 | Must de Cartier Tank 18ct Gold on Silver Watch 23 x 30.5mm Tuxedo Dial Mid Size £ 1,250.00 |
 | Genuine must de Cartier Tank Manual Wind Vermeil Lemon Ladies £ 1,250.00 |
