Cartier Jewelry & Heritage

Société Cartier designs, manufactures, distributes and sells jewellery, watches and other fine items of fashion. The firm was founded in Paris, France in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. The company maintains its headquarters in Paris.

Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in Paris in 1847. In 1874, Louis-François' son Alfred Cartier took over the company, but it was Alfred's sons Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who were responsible for establishing the brand name worldwide.

In 1904, the Brazilian pioneer aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier of the unreliability and impracticality of using pocket watches while flying. Cartier designed a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was liked by not only Santos-Dumont but also many other customers. Thus the "Santos" was born and was Cartier's first men's wristwatch.

Louis retained responsibility for the Paris branch, moving to the Rue de la Paix in 1899. He was responsible for some of the company's most celebrated designs, like the mystery clocks(a type of clock with a transparent dial and so named because its mechanism is hidden), fashionable wristwatches and exotic orientalist Art Deco designs, including the colorful "Tutti Frutti" jewels.

You can find out more on the history behind this iconic jeweler in our bespoke fact packs that come with every order - shop our beautiful range of Cartier items here.