Cartier

Cartier Company History:

The Cartier watch brand is one of the most recognized luxury trademarks in the world. Their signed wristwatches have made a huge impression on the global watch market and have been increasingly collectable over the years. The company's origins lie in Paris 1847, when young Louis-François Cartier took over his master's workshop. In 1874 son Alfred Cartier took over the company. Although the company basked in success, it was not until Alfred's sons Louis, Pierre and Jacques took the reins of the company, that the Cartier brand would enjoy such international fame. In 1899 the company decided to expand internationally. Louis Cartier has been acknowledged for some of the most famous Cartier designs such as the "Mystery Clock". In 1904 Cartier rose to the challenge of making the world's first men's wristwatch. The watch was made for the great aviator Santos Dumont, who complained he needed a more suitable timepiece for his dare devil flights. The watch was named after him, and is still in production today. The "Tank" wristwatch introduced in 1917 during the First World War was Cartier's most renowned model and is still in production today. Louis Cartier was inspired by the tough new war machine the Americans introduced to the fighting in Europe, the tank to design a rugged yet beautiful watch that became a classic. In 1920 The Cartier Company formed a joint venture with Edward Jaeger where he would provide movements for the Cartier time pieces on a contract of exclusivity. This venture and the mass production of Cartier watches with trustworthy, precise movements mark the beginning of Cartier's unstoppable rise to the top of the international watch industry. In 1931 Cartier designed its first waterproof wristwatch with a three piece case. The 1940's saw a period when the "Moonphase" was a very sought after watch. The 1960's Cartier designed a wristwatch that had a large uneven shape and the "Crash" watch was born. In the 1980's Cartier added about a 100 different models to their line and always remained one step ahead of the competition. Cartier has remained so special because they have always made wristwatches in a variety of shapes, round, square, tortue, tonneau, rectangular, and oval, rather than limiting themselves to one or two shapes. Their designs have always managed to be classic and modern at the same time. Cartier has consistently used the best quality for their watch cases, dials and movements. A Cartier watch can always be relied upon to make a fashion statement. Many people consider preowned Cartier watches, used Cartier watches & second hand Cartier watches all the same, but a Gray & Sons Cartier watch is something different altogether. All our watches are serviced and polished to like new condition and come with our twelve month warranty and "Like New for Life" policy. Our after sales service commitment is second to none in the world, backed by our six in house Swiss-trained watchmakers and jewelers.