Many people want a watch that they can wear for the rest of their lives. If that's what you're looking for, why not consider Cartier? With a collection worthy of the name of one of the world's top fashion houses, you're sure to find a masterpiece that you can cherish for years to come.
Cartier Basics
Cartier, a renowned jeweler, is also a leading name in the wristwatch industry, and many people dream of wearing a Cartier watch on their wrist one day.
When wearing luxury goods, it is important not only to wear the item but also to have knowledge about the brand. This will surely create a stronger attachment to the item and make it more persuasive to own it.
What kind of maison is Cartier? Let's get some basic knowledge about it.
What is Cartier?
Cartier is a world-renowned jeweler, and its name is often mentioned first. However, it is also a watch manufacturer that has produced many masterpieces.
In fact, Cartier was the first manufacturer in the world to develop a men's watch.
Cartier is undoubtedly the world's leading jeweler and watchmaker, garnering high trust for its quality, design, and brand power.
The History of Cartier
The Maison Cartier was founded in 1847 when its founder, Louis-François Cartier (1819-1904), took over a jewelry workshop located at 29 Montorgueil, France.
The atelier he later opened at 5, rue Neuve des Petits Champs, was located right next to the residence of the Duke of Orléans, one of the most prestigious houses in France. Cartier continued to exclaim the splendor of the jewelry he created to the aristocrats who attended the social parties held at the residence.
The reputation of Cartier grew there, and its name gradually spread to the aristocracy throughout France. King Edward VII of England even called Cartier "jeweler to kings and king of jewelers."
Praise for the high quality of its jewels was not limited to France. By 1939, the company had become a supplier to the royal families of 15 countries. Today, it has spread beyond national borders and is one of the top jewelers favored by celebrities around the world.
Santos is a historic watch
The Santos de Cartier is synonymous with men's watches made by Cartier because it is a legendary model that is known as the "world's first men's wristwatch."
The Santos, released in 1904, was created by the third-generation head of the family, Louis Cartier, at the request of world-renowned aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the son of a man known as the King of Coffee in Brazil.
Santos-Dumont asked Louis Cartier to develop a watch that would allow him to easily check the time while flying an airplane, because up until then, the only watches available were pocket watches, and he found it inconvenient to have to take out a watch while flying.
Upon receiving the order, Louis came up with a design that was intended to be worn on the wrist, rather than a pocket watch, so that the dial could be seen even while holding the control stick in the cockpit. The resulting model was the world's first men's wristwatch, the Santos.
Features of Cartier watches
Cartier reigns supreme as the undisputed king of luxury jewelry, and the jewelry it produces has distinctive features that make it instantly recognizable.
The same can be said for watches. They are not only high-quality, precise, and of high quality, but also unique and truly first-class products.
Distinctive Dial
A distinctive feature of Cartier watches is their dials. With the exception of a few models such as the Pasha, you will notice that they use Roman numerals: I, II, III, IIII, and V.
On a typical wristwatch, IV is written as "IIII," which does not exist in the official rules for Roman numerals.
There are various theories as to why it is not written as Ⅳ. One theory is that Charles V of France had it rewritten. Since Ⅳ (4) is written as Ⅴ (5) minus Ⅰ (1), he thought it was bad luck to subtract 1 from his own title of "V," so he ordered Ⅳ to be written as IIII, a notation that has continued to this day.
Coexistence of design and technology
Many watch manufacturers look to the market and release products with designs that are easily accepted by users. This is a natural approach for a company.
However, Cartier is different. Its designs contain many elements of cutting-edge innovation and avant-garde style, which give the impression of a strong conviction, as if the times are adapting to them.
However, the novelty of the design is not the priority. To remain top-notch, the precision of the watch is also essential. If the value is not maintained, the market's trust will quickly decline.
Cartier's brand value, cultivated over a long history, is a testament to the company's ongoing commitment to creating products that combine avant-garde style that does not pander to the market with solid technology.
Cartier watch price guide
Cartier is a brand that many watch enthusiasts aspire to own, but what about the price? While there are some highly coveted models due to their top-notch quality, the lineup is extensive and the price range is wide.
There are entry-level models available in the 30 yen range, making them ideal for those looking to own a Cartier watch for the first time.
Let's take a look at the Santos, Cartier's signature model, boasting a history of over 100 years. There are various models in the collection, but the standard line is priced at around 70 yen.
In addition, some special edition watches are adorned with precious stones and are priced at tens of millions of yen. The wide range of Cartier watches, from casually priced watches to those priced so high that they are sought after by royalty around the world, is one of the charms of Cartier.
In recent years, they have been actively developing complex mechanisms.
Cartier has long been involved in developing unisex products, and their designs are outstanding, being suitable for a wide range of users regardless of gender.
The strategy of offering the same model in a lineup of S, M, and L sizes so that customers can choose according to their preferences has become commonplace today, but when Cartier first introduced it, it made a big impact.
At the same time, the company is also devoting itself to the development of mechanical movements, and in 1998 launched the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line, which specializes in mechanical watches.
Although CPCP has now come to an end, the "Haute Horlogerie Collection" was launched in 2009, featuring a wide range of unique movements. The mechanical watches have fascinated watch enthusiasts and have been highly praised.
