Everything you need to know about Cartier

The first watch

Louis Cartier developed the brand's first watch in 1904 at the request of prominent Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Alberto was a good friend of Louis and expressed frustration at the inadequacy of pocket watches when flying, as both hands needed to be kept on the aircraft controls. Louis then created a simple, elegant and practical watch with a flat dial and a small square case that allowed the time to be read with ease. The watch was named "Santos" and became Cartier's first watch for men.

The master of design

What sets Cartier watches apart is not just their technical performance, but also their ability to create a design that remains as timeless and appealing today as it was over a century ago. When considering their most prominent models, it becomes apparent that few things have changed since the brand's beginnings.

Looking at the Tank model as an example, it was first created in 1917, inspired by the design of World War I tanks. With its rectangular dial, the model broke the round norm of the time. Despite the fact that over 100 years have passed since its creation, the appearance has remained almost unchanged, and it is still a model suitable for almost any occasion.

Another interesting story is associated with the model Crash. It is said that in 1967 a female Cartier customer was involved in a serious car accident, where her Cartier watch, which she was wearing at the time, survived the crash. When she left the watch for repair at the Cartier store in London, the watchmakers were fascinated by its distorted and melted appearance. This incident inspired them to create a unique watch with a similar, surreal design. The result was the Cartier Crash, a watch whose characteristic shape resembles a melting watch. It has since become one of the most iconic and sought-after models from Cartier.

Did you know that...

...The famous movie villain Gordon Gekko from the classic movie Wall Street wore a solid gold Cartier Santos.
...It was only in the 70s that Cartier began to mass produce its watches. Before that, only about a hundred were manufactured per year, which of course makes these early models more desirable.
...In 2022, Cartier was ranked number two, beaten only by Rolex, in terms of the most turnover among the world's largest watch companies.

Three iconic models to keep an extra eye out for

Cartier Tank: One of the earliest known wearers of a Cartier Tank was legendary actor Rudolph Valentino. His love for this iconic timepiece contributed to its popularity throughout the 1920s.

Cartier Santos: During World War II, Cartier Santos watches were used by French and American pilots to coordinate air missions. Its clear design and usability made it an indispensable tool in the cockpit.

Cartier Ballon Bleu: The distinctive "floating" crown of the Ballon Bleu is not only an aesthetic choice, but also a practical innovation that reduces the risk of the crown being stuck or damaged. This is an example of Cartier's focus on both form and function throughout their designs.

In conclusion, it can be said that Cartier continues to dominate the world of watches. Their models remain equally timeless and stylish, even though many of their designs are over 100 years old.

Whether you're wearing a fine suit or opting for a more casual style with a T-shirt and jeans, a Cartier will almost always fit the bill. Give it a try and you will see!