Cartier International is a luxury brand known for the design of exquisite watches and jewelry. It was founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier. It has branches all over the world, but its headquarters are in Paris, France. The luxury brand is known for its range of uniquely designed watches; however, they also design jewelry like rings, necklaces, bracelets (they designed the famous love bracelet), and recently started designing eyewear. Its luxurious designs are expensive. It is also known to cater to the needs of royals, celebrities, and affluent individuals. King Edwards VII of England referred to it as the Jeweler of Kings and Kings of Jewelers because of their exclusivity and attention to detail. This article will give you more insight into this historic brand.
Interesting facts about Cartier
1. It started as a family business
In 1847, Louis-Francois Cartier started the famous brand in a workshop he took over from his master, Adolphe Picard. The business grew and opened its first boutique within a decade. In 1859, Louis-Francois' son, Alfred, took over the family business. He ran it with his sons, Louis, Pierre, and Jacques, who expanded the brand worldwide. Louis ran the Paris branch and moved it to Rue De La Paix, which is the jewelry district of Paris. Pierre and Jacques ran the New York and London branches. In 1964, the brothers' children decided to sell the iconic brand. The brand has passed through several hands and is currently owned by the Swiss Richemont Group.
2. Pierre Cartier, a double-strand Pearl necklace, and $100
After moving to New York to establish Cartier, Pierre's real estate mastery earned him the Neo-Renaissance mansion on Fifth Avenue from Morton Freeman Plant. He gave up a double-stranded natural pearl necklace and $100 in cash in exchange for the mansion.
3. The first male wristwatch
In 1904, Louis-Francois' close friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont, a pioneer in aviation, complained about the inconvenience of the pocket watches while flying. The complaints inspired Mr. Cartier to design a wristwatch specifically for the aviation industry. He named it, The Santos.
4. Unlikely business savior
After France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, Cartier almost went out of business. A lot of its clients were either exiled or fighting bankruptcy. Coincidentally, La Barucci, a self-proclaimed prostitute, died of tuberculosis during this period. Alfred quickly contacted her heirs and offered to sell her expensive jewelry collection at a commission. He sold the jewelry collection in England and helped keep the business afloat.
Why is Cartier Expensive?
The famous brand has been in business for decades and has gone through a lot of transitions. This fact gives it a lot of historical value. Cartier invested in quality designing since its inception. It’s the first company to invest in platinum jewelry. Cartier watches and jewelry range from $2,000, making it an expensive brand. They are known to invest in precious stones and quality metal for jewelry and watches. These are expensive; therefore, the value increases. Louis-Francois and his family positioned Cartier as a luxury brand for the rich and famous. The endorsements from King Edward VII and other influential people also acts as a factor in the increased value of its products.
In conclusion, the brand invests in quality materials for the design of its watches and jewelry. It is an iconic company with a rich historical background.
