Cartier are a pioneer in stylish watchmaking, possessing a rich heritage that is embodied in each Cartier timepiece. Refined and modern, yet timeless at the same time, the French brand is renowned for its signature combination of cutting-edge technology and design. The luxury watchmaker has a long history of designing and selling watches to aristocracy and royalty, having been referred to as ‘the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’ by King Edward VII of England.
Cartier watches are made to last, allowing them to be treasured for generations; they’re appreciated by those who are passionate about functionality and fashion and who seek a design that will stand the test of time.
A Brief History of Cartier
Cartier were founded in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Cartier. The French luxury goods company specialises in jewellery and watches and still maintains its headquarters in Paris; however, Cartier are now a subsidiary of the Swiss Compagnie Financière Richemont SA.
The brand created the world’s first wristwatch for men in 1904 when one of Louis-François Cartier’s grandsons designed a piece for his friend, Brazilian aviator and adventurer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Since Alberto was unable to pull out his pocket watch mid-flight because his hands had to remain on the plane’s controls at all times, Cartier developed the modern wristwatch to solve his friend’s predicament.
Cartier haven’t stopped innovating since. Over the intervening decades, the brand has sought to make pieces that go beyond momentary fashions, creating a style that personifies their prestigious history.
A giant in the horological world, Cartier have been the epitome of luxury watch design since their inception. Their trademark classic styles and remarkable craftsmanship have made them beloved by many around the world, including figures such as the Duchess of Cambridge and actor Jake Gyllenhaal.
In 1902, King Edward requested 27 tiaras from Cartier for his coronation; in 1904, he issued the brand a royal warrant. Soon afterwards, similar warrants were issued from other courts, including Portugal, Russia, Egypt and Monaco.
The Panthère de Cartier Range
One of the most characteristic Cartier designs, the Panthère de Cartier is simultaneously a watch and a piece of jewellery. The luxury brand has achieved something incredible with a design that is just as contemporary now as it was when it first appeared in the 1980s.
With crisp white dials, Roman numerals, elegant bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, this range is perfect for the office or an evening out. Panthère watches not only complement any wardrobe, but also elevate it. High performance and craftsmanship come together to create a range that remains faithful to the aesthetics of the original model.
Every timepiece in this range is sophisticated, authentic and elegant, ideal for the lady who never wishes to go unnoticed. The iconic square shape and sapphire crown, as well as the flexible links of the bracelets, make this range a true fashion statement that manages to be both timeless and edgy.
The Panthère de Cartier watches are the quintessence of glamour and add an effortlessly stylish aesthetic to the brand’s repertoire.
Cartier Santos de Cartier Large Watch with Interchangeable Straps
Just like every timepiece in the range, the Santos de Cartier large watch also comes with a strong sense of history. The clear square face with attractive rounded edges and large Roman numerals facilitates readability, which is a key feature in each Santos model, given its aviation heritage.
This steel and gold watch is powered by a mechanical movement with automatic winding and comes with a steel bracelet with 18ct yellow gold screws; this model also possesses the brand’s trademark ‘SmartLink’ resizing system. If you prefer, you can choose to use the piece’s second bracelet in leather; the ‘QuickSwitch’ system allows easy swapping of the bracelets.
Find this watch for £8,900 at Banks Lyon or from just £148.33 per month on 0% finance.
The Santos de Cartier Range
Due to the brand’s will to continuously push the boundaries of watchmaking, the Santos de Cartier range became a world-famous luxury range that pays homage to the original model worn by Alberto Santos-Dumont.
Geometric in design and reminiscent of the Art Deco style which predated the creation of the range, the Santos watches come with a large bezel, rounded dial and visible screws; the latter is an echo of the rivets on an aircraft. Another pioneering feature of the range is how the case incorporates the lugs seamlessly, without any attachments or pins. Making it a single piece means each watch is more secure on the wrist, combining luxury with practicality.
The Santos de Cartier range is perfect for the gentleman who seeks a life of adventure and is passionate about wearing a piece that combines fashion, functionality and technology. This range is one of the most popular from Cartier and continues to charm watch aficionados around the world more than a century after its first introduction.
Cartier at Banks Lyon
Cartier believe in offering the perfect accessories for daily life; for this reason, all of their watches follow the motto of ‘jewellery first, timepiece second’. Many celebrities, like Tom Cruise and Michelle Obama, as well as royals, such as Princess Caroline of Monaco, favour this French brand above all, mainly due to its unique aesthetic and excellent workmanship.
With precise inner workings and a contemporary edge, these Cartier ranges stay true to the brand’s values and ideals and perfectly complement any lifestyle.
With Christmas on the way, a Cartier watch can be a wonderful gift for a loved one. We stock these gorgeous collections at our Lancaster and Kendal stores, so feel free to visit us to see them in person, where you can explore other Cartier ranges with us, such as the Tank Solo, the Ballon Bleu and the Drive de Cartier.