Watches have evolved over the past years. It was improved to meet the demands of its users. The wristwatch we know today was pioneered by Cartier. It was Louis Cartier who designed the first wristwatch for a pilot friend. In 1904, his friend needed a kind of watch that he can use while on an air flight. The Santos model was then born. It was in the later years that the wristwatches designed by Louis boomed. From then on, Louis Cartier made a commitment to make sophisticated wristwatches and share it to the world.

History of Cartier Watches

Cartier's history was started by a Frenchman named Louis Fran?ois Cartier, the grandfather, who was an apprentice to Adolphe Picard, a jewelry maker. Soon, the grandfather established his own jewelry business. He passed it to his son, Alfred Cartier. Alfred had three sons named Louis, Jacques and Pierre. The siblings expanded their jewelry shop into a watchmaker's shop. Their perseverance brought fame and money to the family business. The worldwide recognition of their masterpieces was spearheaded by Louis Cartier, the grandson.

Cartier watches made a huge impact to the world. Royalties, aristocrats, businessmen, other rich people were very loyal to these timepieces. Men were not the only patrons; even women grew a large fascination for it which they mostly used as jewelry accessories. These pieces for women were made more elegantly and fashionably.

The famous watch models of Cartier are as follows: Tonneau (1906), Tank (1910), and Tortue (1912). These were still continuously produced even after Louis died in 1942. Thus, Tank Fran?aise and Cartier's Privée Collection (1996), Pasha de Cartier (1985), Panthère (1983), and Baignoire (1957) came out. The Pasha, Santos 100, and Roadster were also revived. Here are a few famous models:

The Tank Watch

During the First World War, Louis Cartier was inspired by the military tank, thus, the tank watch was produced. The first prototype was given to an American commander general in Europe, John Pershing. Tank Louis Cartier watch is a showcase of balance, strength and elegance. It has a small model made of 18k yellow gold. The shape is circular, sword shaped steel hands, roman numerals, silver grained dial and the crown is an 18K grained yellow gold with a sapphire cabochon. The strap is alligator leather and the buckle is an 18K gold ardillon. It is water resistant to 100 feet or 30 meters.

The Baignoire Watch

Baignoire Allongée watch first materialized in 1913. It was first given to Grand Duchess Pavlovna by Louis Cartier. This became the prototype for the Baignoire collection. The Baignoire 1920 watch is an 18k yellow gold. The crown is an 18k grained gold, also with a circular grained crown set with a sapphire cabochon. The dial is grained in silver.

It uses a sword shaped steel hands and roman numerals. The strap is made from alligator leather and the buckle is of 18k gold ardillon buckle. It is water resistant up to 30 m/100 feet, and Cartier caliber 057 quartz movements. Its femininity is very prominent with the clean lines and the roman numerals mark.

The Santos Watch

The Santos Watch has marked its name into the watch history. The creation of the Santos was the start of an evolution in watches. It only gained popularity in 1912. After a few years, they stopped producing this watch. Cartier then decided to revive this model in 1978.

The Santos de Cartier galbee watch is a combination of steel and 18K gold. The octagon crown is made of steel. It has a silver grained dial, a faceted spinel; sword shaped steel hands and roman numerals. The bracelet is a combination of steel and gold with a signature 687 quartz movement. It is also water resistant at 100 feet or 30 meters.