Cartier is a symbol of luxury and wealth. Cartier watches represent a prerequisite for success.
Who is not aware of the name of Cartier? Cartier is a symbol of luxury, wealth and power. Cartier on the wrist - this is what any successful person seeks for. A history of Cartier began with a small jewelry shop in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Paris - Eglise Saint-Eustache.
Famous Cartier Empire was founded in 1847, by Louis-Francois Cartier - former journeyman of known at the time watchmaker Adolph Picard. The most banal story (when a student goes from his master and starts his own business) started, when Cartier opened his own jewelry workshop. His business was quite successful, but the name of Cartier was not known to the richest clients - Parisian aristocracy. Fate smiled to a young jeweler. By the wedding of Napoleon III, it was required to redo some jewelry (this was the tradition). A powerful Cartier's patron said a word for a young talented jeweler, and Cartier workshop received a royal order. Young craftsman's fantasy and talent subdued royal couple - soon orders rushed to Cartier studio as if from cornucopia. As a result, already by the beginning of the twentieth century, the name of Cartier was not just a famous brand. Cartier already became a symbol of luxury and wealth. Siam King himself bought Cartier jewelry and considered them the greatest works of art.
The beginning of the twentieth century was the time of «primitive capital formation». The Americans, who were considered «second-class people» earlier, started ruling the world. Oil money did their part. However, suddenly enriched Americans had to learn taste for luxurious life from Europeans of the Old World, so, following European fashion, they bought kilograms of Cartier jewelry (and this is not a figure of speech!).
The founder of Cartier, Louis, insisted on watch making. Watches at that time were becoming more popular. If earlier Cartier just restored and enchased works of other masters of time, in 1893, Cartier signed a contract with one of the most famous at that time watch manufacturers - Vacheron Constantin factory. Total for the year Cartier managed to increase watch sales three times. In 1898, Cartier released the first ladies' wristwatch. As a result of rapid growth, Cartier Empire grew so much that three of Louis heirs - his three sons - decided to divide Cartier Empire into three parts. Each of the sons became a separate part of Cartier management, situated in Paris, London and New York.
We should say that Paris Cartier department created works of watch art. Then a young watchmaker Maurice Coulli? joined the company. A watchmaker by education and blood (his grandfather worked as watch work setter for Breguet), he was so inventive, that Cartier bracket clock is still considered a mystery of horology. Masterpieces of Cartier include Pyramid watch, where, with the help of several sapphire glasses, a famous artist achieved an incredible visual illusion - it seems that hands in this watch are moving by themselves, while mechanism, albeit enclosed in a transparent casing, is not visible.
The first Cartier wristwatch appeared yet in 1888. It was richly inlaid with diamonds and rested on a thin gold bracelet. However, this watch was never sold. In 1903, senior Cartier made a wristwatch for his friend, pilot Antonio Santos-Dumont, however, it never went in the series.
The first true production Cartier model appeared in 1906 and was named Tonneau. Watch received this name due to an unusual tubby shape of the hull. Cases were made of platinum, and winder represented a ruby, sapphire and pearl. For the next series of watches, Cartier chose the other mechanism (Jaeger), and began inserting an emerald cabochon into a winder. Cartier watches enjoyed frenzied popularity: their owners included several representatives of the Rothschild and Vanderbilt families, as well as Pierre Cartier himself. We must say that these historic watches successfully survived to our days, and are successfully produced under the name of Cartier Regente, however, the number of produced watches is barely more than a dozen for a year.
In 1910 Cartier turned the world of watch forms. It was then when the first watch in a rectangular building appeared. A release of those watch was dedicated to the same Santos-Dumont, who agreed to advertise. Later Cartier watch models included a watch that showed time in London, Paris and New York - the cities where Cartier headquarters were situated.
In 1917, Cartier introduced the world a famous Tank model, which became so popular, that remained practically unchanged up to our days. Inspired by the World War II events, Tank became a symbol of aggressive design in the art of watch making. These watches came into the market only two years later - in 1919, when hostilities were already subsided, but the memory of them was still alive among Europeans and Americans. Tank watch became a flagship Cartier model. Special periods of Cartier life were marked by new «tanks». For example, in 1923 there were Cartier Tank watches, bent to form of the wrist. In 1929, there were Tank Jumping Hours - a special mechanism that allowed showing an hour in a separate face window. When a minute hand comes to 59 minutes, an hour «jumps over» to the next one in a window. In 1931 a waterproof Tank appeared. Oriental Cartier collections are of particular pride, based on an unusual order, received by Cartier from Pasha of Morocco in 1933. He wanted to get a gold watch from Cartier, which he could swim in the pool in, without removing. So Cartier Pasha appeared. Today, this model is very popular. Divan series continues east Cartier collections. Let's say that one of the models in this series received a great honor - at Geneva Grand Prix 2002 Cartier Divan won a prize in the category «Prize Award of Middle East Society».
After the death of Cartier brothers, the company was divided. London, Paris and New York offices were to live their own lives. We must say that this separation was not good for Cartier products: they lost not only general style of jewelry and watches, but also the spirit of Cartier. It lasted until 1972, when heads of departments decided to join the company again for the common good, in order to restore Cartier's glorious history and reputation. These negotiations were long and difficult, but amalgamation still took place. Cartier decided to celebrate this event by a release of new collection, which would include jewelry and watches, and various accessories, combined by overall style. This way Must de Cartier collection appeared.
In 1993, Cartier joined Richmond concern - a leading group of companies, engaged in luxury goods production. We must say that now Cartier is not one company, and even not three departments. Cartier brings together 14 companies, each of which is responsible for production of certain goods - watches, jewelry, accessories. They are united not only by name - all that is available under the brand of Cartier, is to demonstrate luxury, special gloss of wealth and power.
Most popular Cartier male watches - Tank Americane Large with automatic winding mechanism. Curved sapphire glass gives a richly guilloche Cartier face a particularly elegant look. A strap of Louisiana alligator's skin represents a nice addition.
Cartier Tank Americane small is a leader among female models. The body of the watch is decorated with 99 diamonds.
