Cartier
The History of Cartier Watches
Cartier is one of the most respected and highly recognized jewelers in the world today. From diamond jewelry of the highest quality to premium leather goods, the name Cartier embodies the highest level of excellence and prestige.
The Cartier brand also holds a highly distinction position in the world of horology. Cartier is the very first brand to introduce a wristwatch. In 1904, Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch as a favor to pilot Alberto Santos Dumont, which he could wear on his wrist when flying, since pocket watches were too difficult to maneuver when up in the air.
In 1933, Cartier was appointed by the Pasha of Marrakech to create a timepiece suitable for swimming. The first Pasha wristwatch featured a protective locking cap on the crown that prevented water from entering the case and mechanical mechanism inside. Several years later, Cartier introduced the Pasha to the world and this innovative timepiece set the stage for water-resistant watch technology for years to come.
The Cartier Santos and Pasha timepieces are still in production today along with the popular Panthere, Tank, Ballon Bleu, Calibre, Baignoire and Cle collections. Many are topped with the signature blue sapphire cabochon stone on the crowns and feature the Cartier name embedded on the ten o’clock Roman numeral hour marker on the dials.