Cartier 18 K Gold
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle reportedly inspired by medieval chastity belts.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces. It’s certainly one of the most well known and internationally beloved jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, rings, necklaces and other accessories.
Vintage 1980s Cufflinks
18k Gold
1990s Bangles
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Charm Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Bracelets
18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s More Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Wedding Rings
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Boxes and Cases
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century Modern Band Rings
Diamond, Gold
1990s Dome Rings
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Brooches
Agate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century Modern Bangles
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Gold
2010s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Amethyst, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Cufflinks
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cufflinks
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Cufflinks
Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Link Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century More Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Wrist Watches
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Retro Link Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Cufflinks
18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Aesthetic Movement Boxes and Cases
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s Contemporary Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century More Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s More Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Choker Necklaces
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century More Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Retro Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Artist Boxes and Cases
18k Gold, Gold
2010s Modern Fashion Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century More Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
