Cartier | 486

Cartier is one of the most iconic French luxury brands, founded in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904). Initially, the company operated as a jewelry workshop, but it quickly gained recognition among aristocratic circles when King Edward VII famously called it "the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers." Cartier earned royal warrants from the courts of Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Russia, and England, solidifying its position in the luxury jewelry market.

Cartier's contribution to the world of watchmaking is also invaluable. Louis Cartier, the founder’s grandson, designed the Santos watch in 1904, responding to a request from Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. This was the first men's wristwatch, and its success initiated the era of wristwatches, which were previously uncommon. In 1919, another iconic model emerged – the Tank watch, inspired by the shape of World War I tanks.

Cartier is known for innovations like "mystery" clocks, with hidden mechanisms, and the use of platinum in jewelry. Today, Cartier is part of the Richemont Group and operates over 200 stores worldwide.