Cartier is known as a brand that produces fantastically beautiful jewelry. However, the Carter’s tribute to development of the art of watch making is not a bit less important as its services to the art of jewelry.

During the first 50 years of its existence the brand had not produced watches. The demands of standing customers were satisfied by restoration of the famous pocket watch models by Lepine, Breguet and other watch makers. Louis-Francois Cartier bought these watches personally at auctions. However the demand for clocks grew rapidly, so in the beginning of the 90ties of the XIX century Cartier signed a contract with Vacheron & Constantin that then supplied the brand with movements.

Bracket clocks by Cartier had as great success as its jewelry. The clocks diversified the brand’s products and increased its profits dramatically.

In 1988 Cartier developed the first women’s wristwatch. The watch had a gold bracelet and was decorated with diamonds. However, Louis-Francois Cartier did not harry to sell this model, because he understood that the watch is not likely to have success in the era of long sleeves.

In 1903 he created the exclusive wristwatch for his friend-aviator Antonio Santos Dumont.

However, the first watch series was released in 1906. These watches had platinum cases with ruby, sapphire or pearl crown and were equipped with Bredillard movements.

The next series was produced with Jaeger movements. Cases of the watches were encrusted with diamonds while the crown was made out of an emerald. The watches had straps that were made out of white leather. This series had great popularity. A few watches were bought by Rothschilds and Vanderbilt.

The series is still in production, it is called Regente. The series is not very popular, because the watches are produced in very limited series.

In 1910 Cartier created the world’s first rectangular wristwatch.

In 1911 the brand released a men’s series that was called after Santos Dumont. The aviator personally advertised the watch.

In 1917 Louis Cartier presented the famous Tank watch. Tank is the most successful watch model by Cartier, it is a legendary model that has many versions.

In 1925 Cartier released the first leather watch and platinum watch with seconds hand, calendar and Moon phases. The watches became very popular. In 1928 the bran released a watch-lighter.

The sports version of Santos Dumont that was released in 1978 was also very successful. This watch was recognized as the Cartier best seller.

The brand expanded its Oriental collection. In 1933 the Moroccan Pasha ordered a gold watch to swim with. Thus the Pasha watches appeared. The other great Cartier Oriental collection is Divan. By the way, the Divan Joaillerie model was awarded with Geneva Gran-Prix in 2002.

1972 was marked by release of the legendary Must de Cartier series that includes jewelry, watches and various accessories. Success of the series was so great, that the word must entered the lexicon of almost all European languages as well as the Chinese and the Japanese language.

Today Cartier unites 14 companies. Each of the companies is responsible for a particular product without which the world’s most famous and the richest people cannot imagine their lives. So a Cartier watch or other accessory is a must have for any successful person.