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: | Cartier Santos 3104 Watch 100 XL Chronograph Carbon Automatic 45mm £ 3,395.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Galbee ref.987901 29mm £ 2,600.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 33mm Lovely Condition £ 3,300.00 |
 | Santos De Cartier Watch Large Model WSSA0030 Blue £ 4,850.00 |
 | Cartier Watch Tank Solo SM £ 2,000.00 |
 | Cartier Cougar 18ct Gold Larger 33mm Quartz | 887904 | Circa. 1990s £ 2,950.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Men’s Black Carbon Watch £ 3,000.00 |
 | Cartier Ronde Solo de Cartier 36mm Swiss Automatic 3939 £ 1,850.00 |
 | Must de Cartier Ronde Vermeil Watch with Original Box - REF 1801 - 1970'S £ 1,650.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Silver Women's Watch - WSSA0023 £ 2,400.00 |
 | Santos De Cartier Watch Large Model WSSA0030 Box & Papers 2022 £ 5,595.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 XL Carbon WSSA0006 (1731) 2017 with box + papers £ 4,000.00 |
 | Ladies Must de Cartier Vermeil silver gilt cased watch £ 599.26 |
 | Cartier Santos 100 Midi 33mm 2878 with box and Additional Strap Lovely Condition £ 2,995.00 |
 | Cartier Santos XL Men's Watch - ( model number: 2656) £ 3,500.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Skeleton Men's Watch Unworn 2023 B&P's - WHSA0015 £ 16,995.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Large Custom Diamond Bezel £ 1,250.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Octagon Automatic 18K Gold 31mm ‘Spider Dial’ (AC17.90) C.1995 £ 995.00 |
 | Cartier 'Must De Cartier' Spares Or Repair 24mm box and papers £ 550.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Ronde Quartz 187902 Wrist Watch £ 950.00 |
 | Cartier Santos 1564 Blue Roman Numeral Silver Men's Watch Mint Condition Unworn £ 3,495.00 |
 | Cartier Santos Silver Men's Watch - 1564 -watch only £ 2,950.00 |
 | Ladies Must de Cartier Tank Quartz Watch £ 1,850.00 |
 | 2024 Cartier Santos Medium WSSA0029 Complete Set - Excellent Condition £ 5,450.00 |
 | Must de Cartier Tank 18ct Gold on Silver Mid Size Vintage Mechanical Watch. £ 1,535.00 |
 | Cartier Panthere Stainless Steel and 18k Gold Ladies Watch £ 2,950.00 |
 | Cartier Must De Cartier Tank 2415 Watch and Box Only £ 1,895.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Must XL 41mm Stainless Steel Black Leather WSTA0040 2022 £ 2,895.00 |
 | Cartier Roadster Silver Women's Watch - 2675 £ 1,895.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Must de Cartier 925 Silver Quartz 25x33mm | 2414 | Circa. 2000s £ 1,895.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Must 18 k gold plate on sterling silver £ 1,200.00 |
 | Cartier Santos De Cartier 40mm Stainless Steel WSSA0076 2024 £ 7,495.00 |
 | cartier 21 chronoscaph £ 900.00 |
 | Cartier Panthere Silver Women's Watch - WSPN0006 £ 3,599.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Francaise 2302 Automatic Steel & Gold 28x32mm Vintage Wristwatch £ 3,000.00 |
 | ROLEX CARTIER EXPLORER 5500-VINTAGE ROLEX CASE & DIAL&SWISS ETA 2824 WATCH (KIT) £ 1,550.00 |
 | Moissanite VVS Diamond Watch Bust Down Cartier skeleton £ 1,600.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Silver Men's Watch - WSTA0040 £ 3,000.00 |
 | Cartier Tank Solo Silver Men's Watch - W5200028 £ 3,000.00 |
 | Cartier Santos White Men's Watch 2961 , rare invisible clasp service bracelet £ 3,350.00 |
