From timepieces to jewelry, the Cartier name is synonymous with high quality. The company is a worldwide icon, but its story began in France in the 17th century. The story of Cartier’s beginnings is rich in detail and includes stories of founders Pierre and Louis Cartier, as well as the lives of their wives Francesca Cartier Brickell and Wallis Simpson. This brief history of the Cartier family is both fascinating and inspirational.
Louis Cartier
The world-renowned Maison of Louis Cartier, known for its exceptional timepieces and fine jewelry, has long been a symbol of luxury and style. Founded in 1847, it grew into one of the world’s leading jewelers. Its creations are now sought after by celebrities and collectors alike. The company’s history is a testament to the excellence of its crafts. Founded by brothers Charles and Jean-Louis Cartier, the brand has become synonymous with luxurious luxury.
The designer’s distinctive style was influenced by French art, and is reflected in his designs. The Cartier Tank watch, for example, was inspired by the industrial forms of Renault tanks on the Western Front. This watch was first designed in 1917 and became an instant hit. Although it is now sold exclusively on eBay, Louis Cartier’s Bond Street boutique still remains the company’s flagship location in the United Kingdom.
As time went on, the Frenchman turned his attention to timepieces. His Tank watch model, which was inspired by the Renault FT-17 light tank during World War I, was among the most popular pieces of time. The watch’s angular design is an example of his unique style, and it remains an iconic timepiece today. The brand’s Tank watch has been a favorite of many A-list celebrities.
Known as the “king of jewelers”, Cartier has a long list of iconic models. From the Santos to the Tank to the Ballon Bleu, the Swiss watchmaker has created many timeless designs. These pieces are a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship that go into each piece. Whether a woman wears it for fun or to commemorate an anniversary, Louis Cartier’s creations will surely make her feel special.
While Louis Cartier founded the Cartier company in 1889, it was his brother’s vision that made the brand internationally famous. In 1902, the Cartier brothers opened their first branch in London. At that time, the Cartier name became synonymous with royalty, and King Edward VII ordered 27 tiaras from Cartier. The brand later spread to Russia and then became famous on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Pierre Cartier
For centuries, French jewelers have fascinated people, and it was the same with the House of Cartier. This renowned establishment was once a private residence, but by 1909, it had been converted into a luxury timepiece and jewelry store. In the process, it acquired a reputation as a place to purchase bespoke jewelry. When Louis-Francois Cartier came on the scene, he brought his three sons and an extensive inventory to sell.
Louis Almasy was the son of the founder of Cartier, and he moved the business to the United States in 1909. In order to grow the business, he married the daughter of a wealthy St. Louis heiress, Elma Rumsey. The two were active in Manhattan’s social scene and supported numerous charities. The Cartier name was synonymous with style, and he was not the only one to wear one of his pieces.
Despite the difficulty of establishing a business in the United States during the Second World War, the Cartier family managed to stay afloat and continue to make jewelry. In addition to their watchmaking business, they also sponsored an initiative for women to become impact entrepreneurs. The Cartier Ladies played a crucial role in the history of the brand. They also continued to grow the business as a company.
The first men’s watch was designed by Cartier with the aviation industry in mind. This watch, called the Santos, was named after the aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. In 1911, it sold for PS3.6 million, which is the equivalent of PS3.8 million today. It has been one of the most sought after pieces in the world. In fact, there are even many men who dream of wearing a Cartier timepiece!
Louis Cartier had a talent for jewelry and soon enough began to work with his brother, Pierre. By 1853, the two brothers had established a Parisian jewelry workshop together. In 1917, they acquired the location where Cartier is now located, on the French Riviera. In addition to the famous timepieces, they also produced watches. Many famous watchmakers of the time also created watches for those who wanted to express their taste and style.
Jacques Cartier
In 1911, Jacques Cartier sailed for India and set sail aboard the Polynesia, a ship that left Marseille for Bahrain and returned in the spring of 1912. While the city of Delhi was bustling with activity during the coronation of George V, he found himself interested in the lives of the maharajas. He visited their palaces and redesigned traditional jewels in lighter platinum settings.
In 1870, a Commune hit Paris and a number of aristocrats fled the city. As a result, many of their valuable jewels were sold to Alfred Cartier. The new owner was able to build a prestigious townhouse on Fifth Avenue. In 1911, he was able to attract Maharajahs and other high-profile clients and set out to expand the brand to the New York area.
The 1930s were a booming time for the company. Jacques Cartier began searching for pearls in the Persian Gulf, and his designs reflected this interest. After returning to Paris, he developed his own unique style, drawing inspiration from Egyptian faience and Islamic architecture. His designs soon reflected his love of color and shape, and were inspired by a variety of cultural influences.
The founding family clung to the company despite the commotion and grew it beyond its founder’s wildest dreams. The brothers possessed a unique vision for their designs, and their products drew the attention of many of the most important women of the day. In addition to the rich history of the company, the third generation of the family is pursuing global ambitions and expanding their global footprint.
Pierre Cartier had initially aspired to become a priest, but met his future wife, Nelly Harjes, and together they created a family empire. The couple’s parents supported the marriage, but they did not believe that Jacques was suited for marriage. After the wedding, the family persuaded the couple to live apart for a year. Despite this setback, the couple married, and Louis-Francois worked in a jewellery workshop. Eventually, he bought the workshop of his boss and started a business that is still going strong today.
Francesca Cartier Brickell
In the early 1990s, the entire Cartier family gathered in the south of France to celebrate the 90th birthday of the patriarch, Jean-Jacques Cartier. For the occasion, he had stored a vintage bottle of champagne. Brickell offered to go fetch it for him. Instead, she stumbled across a battered trunk full of letters and travel stickers.
In a recent interview with NPR, Francesca Cartier Brickell revealed that her family’s heritage goes back more than a century, to the founding of the famous Cartier brand. Brickell was born into a family with a long history of making exquisite jewelry and timepieces. After a decade of research, she was able to learn the story of the iconic jewelry and timepiece company from letters written by her great-grandfather.
Before she married the Viceroy of India, she bought several Cartier timepieces, including the infamous Tutti Frutti. Her bracelets are now part of the V&A Museum. She even had one of her own made out of a pearl necklace. “It’s like wearing a beautiful Dali painting,” says Brickell, who grew up near the jewelry house.
The book features 500 pages and the same design as the iconic jewellery boxes used by the brand. Brickell’s story is a fascinating one about the history of Cartier. The book also includes the history of the brand’s timepieces and jewelry. For those of you who love timepieces and jewelry, this book is for you. It’s a great gift for yourself or a loved one!
The founder of Cartier loved 18th century court architecture and asked his designers to study various elements from the style. Fortunately, the brothers had plenty of books and pictures of the period but not many about jewellery. They did not want to copy anything they saw, so they translated the rail swirls in architectural books into tiaras. This inspired Francesca’s story of Cartier jewelry and timepieces.
The brand is known for its high-quality pearls. The Cartiers were masters at grading natural pearls. Natural pearls were the most prized by the company, and their designs have become popular for decades. Some of their pieces were awarded to celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the Maharajah of Patiala. They were a huge hit among celebrities and a symbol of class and sophistication.