Cartier Watches
Pioneers of elegant watchmaking, Cartier is a byword for luxury. As retailers to aristocracy and royalty, the brand has garnered a reputation as high-end purveyors of luxury goods. Boasting a signature blend of cutting-edge technology and a passion for design, Cartier watches are the perfect addition to anyone’s collection.
The History of Cartier Watches
The Cartier brand, and its wristwatches in particular, is a real French success story. Once dubbed the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers, the company has flourished into one of the most highly-regarded watchmakers in the world.
Louis-Francois Cartier founded his namesake brand in 1847 in Paris, and spent its early years catering to the extravagant demands of society’s elite. During this time, Cartier’s talent and craftsmanship caused a real stir, with high-profile figures such as princess Mathilde – a cousin of Napoleon III. Within a relatively short period of time, the brand captured the hearts of royal dynasties across the world, plus the stars of Hollywood and Bollywood.
After initially focusing on pocket watches, Cartier turned its attention to wristwatches in 1888. Its initial offerings garnered critical success, and the brand expanded its operations into cities like London, St Petersburg and New York.
In 1903, the company made one of its most significant creations, the Santos. Named after a close friend of the family, Alberto Santos-Dumont, this distinctive timepiece boasted a flat shape and square bezel. The watch was created with the needs of pilots in mind. Just four years later, Cartier entered into a partnership with Edmond Jaeger from Jaeger-LeCoultre, who agreed to become the exclusive supplier of movements to Cartier watches.
The early 1900s also became a time when Cartier launched some of their most iconic models. In 1912, the first Baignoire and Tortue models were introduced, while the Tank debuted five years later in 1917. By this point, the brand had become so successful that other countries began to create imitations of Cartier watches, causing Cartier to add reference numbers to its timepieces.
Following the death of Louis-Francois Cartier’s grandson Pierre in 1964, the remaining family members decided to sell the business. A group of investors led by Joseph Kanoui bought the company in 1972. In the years following the acquisition, the brand worked hard to expand its collection and maintain its position as a frontrunner in the luxury watchmaking industry. The year 1983 saw the introduction of the Panthère, while the first Pasha timepiece was released two years later in 1985. Then, in 1996 the brand debuted the Cartier Tank Francaise.
The Cartier brand continued to grow in the 21st Century. The Roadster was launched in 2002, while the year 2004 saw the release of the Santos 100 in celebration of the model’s 100th anniversary. In 2007, the company unveiled the Ballon Bleu, which quickly became one of their best-selling models. Two years later, this was followed by the Ronde Solo de Cartier and Cartier Tank Solo.
Second-Hand Cartier Watches from Blowers Jewellers
If you are looking for your ideal Cartier watch, Blowers Jewellers is here to help. We have amassed decades of experience in helping our clients find the timepieces of our dreams, and we are well-equipped to do the same for you.
We have a wide range of pre-owned Cartier watches in both a used and unused condition, all of which have been hand-picked by our team of experts. Each of these stunning timepieces comes with a warranty of between twelve months to five years, and can be viewed at our boutique in Kingston Upon Hull or by appointment at our store in London’s Mayfair.
Our team can also help if you are looking to part with your Cartier watch. Simply provide us with a few details about your timepiece and we will give you a quote of what we believe is the best possible price within just 48 hours. You can then use these funds as part of our part-exchange service, or sell the watch to us outright.
We have built a strong reputation for the quality of our service and expertise. We believe there is nothing more special than obtaining your ideal item of jewellery, which is why we will be on hand to offer independent help and support whenever you need it.
For more information about how Blowers Jewellers can help, contact a member of our team today or visit us in person.