Cartier Watches

King Edward VII of England called Cartier the “jeweler of kings and king of jewelers.” Established in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, the French maison was from its beginnings a darling of the aristocracy. But Cartier is also known for its luxury watches. It was the founder’s grandson, Louis Cartier, who cemented its reputation as a trendsetting watchmaker. In 1904, he made one of the first men's wristwatches for a friend, Brazilian coffee-plantation heir Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Although the pocket watch was the de rigueur men’s accessory of the day, Santos-Dumont, a pioneering aviator, found his own hard to consult while keeping his plane aloft. Louis fashioned a timepiece with a flat, square case on a leather strap that could be referred to easily at a glance. Named in honor of Louis’s friend, the Santos was eventually produced for sale in 1911.

Deemed daring and modern, men’s wristwatches became a vogue among the elite. Capitalizing on his success, Louis released the Tonneau in 1906. Its barrel-shaped case, another departure from the traditional round pocket watch, was embraced by other savvy watchmakers and remains a perennial favorite.

However, the Tonneau was soon eclipsed by Louis’s most iconic design. During the First World War, he was so impressed by the Renault tanks he saw on the Western Front that in 1917, he created a watch inspired by their industrial forms — the Cartier Tank watch.

Louis’s inventive streak didn’t stop at men’s watches. In 1906, he took a traditional round ladies’ case and stretched it into an elegant oval. The style was later dubbed the Baignoire for its resemblance to the elongated curves of a bathtub. In 1914, he commissioned artist George Barbier to illustrate an invitation to an upcoming exhibition. The resulting Dame à la panthère marked the debut of the animal that would become synonymous with the house.

That same year, Cartier introduced its first jewel incorporating the panther motif: a diamond watch with onyx spots, the inspiration for the current women’s Panthère model. After Louis’s death, in 1942, his legacy continued in the brand’s penchant for timepieces with unusual shapes. Its ultimate expression may be the Dalí-esque Crash watch, introduced in 1967 and said to be modeled on a Baignoire pulled from a car wreck.

Browse an expansive collection of unique Cartier wristwatches and pocket watches today on 1stDibs.

Cartier watches for sale on 1stDibs

1stDibs offers a range of Cartier watches. These unique items were designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While searching for the most stylish antique or vintage Cartier jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Cartier diamond watches can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, from our inventory of 221. This collection contains 1,093 pieces as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Modern and contemporary are among the most popular styles of Cartier watches on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st Century and Contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider watches by Bulgari, Patek Philippe and Chopard. Cartier watches can vary in price, gemstone, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at US$795 and tops out at US$1,400,000, while pieces like these can sell for US$7,916 on average.

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Questions About Cartier Watches

Is a Cartier watch worth it?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
Many watch lovers believe that Cartier watches are worth it. The French luxury house is one of the most well-known and internationally revered watchmakers in the world. One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch, one of the world's first modern wrist watches for men. Cartier’s other famous watches include the Tank watch, inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Cartier watches is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find Cartier watches and other watches for sale on 1stDibs.
What watch is the Cartier Crash based on?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
The watch that the Cartier Crash may have been based on is the Cartier Maxi Oval, also known as the Baignoire Allongée. One theory is that the watch's creators, Jean-Jacques Cartier and Rupert Emmerson, became inspired to create the Crash after seeing a damaged Maxi Oval that a customer brought in after he was involved in a car accident. Another theory is that the designers drew inspiration from Salvador Dalí's famous work, The Persistence of Memory. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Cartier watches.
How much does the Cartier Crash watch cost?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
How much the Cartier Crash watch costs varies. Contemporary editions of the avant-garde timepiece typically sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while select vintage and limited-edition models may fetch selling prices of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Jean-Jacques Cartier and Rupert Emmerson designed the Crash watch, which debuted in 1967. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Cartier watches.
Are Cartier watches automatic?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 1, 2024
Yes, some Cartier watches are automatic but the legendary French luxury house also creates collections that include watches with quartz movements. Cartier’s iconic Tank collection, which includes the Tank Française, the Tank Louis Cartier and other models, features both quartz and automatic options for all kinds of collectors. Each of the watches in the Panthère collection, however, carries a quartz movement.

While quartz watches are powered by a pre-installed battery and a high-frequency quartz crystal, automatic watches rely on a spring system and are self-winding. An automatic watch does not have a battery and is recharged on the wrist owing to the wearer’s movements during the day.

It was Louis Cartier, grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier, who was responsible for bringing watchmaking to the venerable maison when he presented Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont with a wristwatch in 1904.

Although the pocket watch was the de rigueur men’s accessory of the day, Santos-Dumont found his own pocket watch hard to consult while keeping his plane aloft. Louis fashioned a timepiece with a flat, square case on a leather strap that could be referred to easily at a glance. Named in honor of Louis’s friend, the Santos was eventually produced for sale in 1911.

Find vintage Cartier watches for sale on 1stDibs.
What does Must de Cartier mean?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
Must de Cartier means "Cartier, It's a Must." The advertising slogan of the French luxury jewelry maker was created by former Cartier President Robert Hocq during the 1970s. In 1974, he partnered with Alain-Dominique Perrin to create a line of watches inspired by the saying, the full text of which is "Le Must de Cartier." On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Cartier watches.
What Cartier watch did Princess Diana wear?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
Princess Diana actually wore more than one Cartier watch. The Princess of Wales's father, John Spencer, the 8th Earl Spencer, reportedly once gifted her a Cartier Louis Tank watch with an alligator leather strap. During the late 1990s, Diana frequently sported a yellow gold Tank Française. Prince Andrew received the watch after her death and presented it to his now-wife Meghan Markle. Also, she sometimes wore a Panthère de Cartier, a gift from Dodi Fayed. Shop a wide range of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
Who makes Cartier watch movements?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
Who makes Cartier watch movements varies. The luxury maker does produce some of its movements in-house, such as the 1904 MC, the 1847 MC and the 1917 MC. In addition, it has also utilized movements manufactured by other makers, including ETA, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, Rolex and Girard-Perregaux. Find a diverse assortment of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
Are Cartier watches popular?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 5, 2024
While trends in collecting do change over time, Cartier watches generally remain popular. The luxury maker produces 400,000 to 500,000 timepieces per year and was the second-largest luxury maker in terms of gross sales after Rolex in several years, including 2023. Some of the best-known Cartier watches are the Cartier Tank, the Panthère de Cartier, the Santos de Cartier, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier, the Calibre de Cartier, the Drive de Cartier and the Pasha de Cartier. Find a wide range of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
Is Cartier the same as Rolex?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
No, Cartier is not the same as Rolex. Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in Paris in 1847. Some of its most iconic watches include the Tank, the Santos, the Ballon Bleu, the Calibre de Cartier and the Drive de Cartier. Hans Wilsdorf established Rolex in London in 1905. Today, the maker is well-known for its sophisticated watches, including the Submariner, the Daytona, the DateJust, the Oyster Perpetual and the GMT-Master II. Find a selection of Cartier and Rolex watches on 1stDibs.
Why is Cartier so popular?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
There are a few reasons why Cartier is so popular. For one thing, the French luxury house is known for its very long history of unparalleled prestige and quality craftsmanship. Cartier has been producing extraordinary jewelry, watches and accessories since 1847. While jewelry lovers have long been enthusiastic about Cartier’s elegant and streamlined designs for bracelets, rings, necklaces and other pieces, the brand is also known for innovation. It pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry, and its artisans were so mindful of trends in fashion that the house became the official jewelry supplier to King Edward VII. Later, Cartier’s Art Deco-era pieces would help define the movement with which they are associated. One of the brand’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch, one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. Today’s influencers continue to help popularize the brand, increasing the demand for certain pieces like Cartier buffalo horn sunglasses and the Cartier Love bracelet, an icon of modernist jewelry. Find a wide range of Cartier watches, jewelry and eyewear on 1stDibs.
What is Cartier Vermeil?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Cartier Vermeil means a timepiece made by the French luxury jewelry house of Cartier out of a material called vermeil. It is a precious metal produced by combining genuine gold and silver. Shop a variety of Cartier Vermeil watches on 1stDibs.
What is Cartier Vendôme?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The meaning of Cartier Vendôme varies. Most often, the term describes a line of watches made by the French luxury jewelry house. However, the company has also produced sunglasses and wedding jewelry with the style name Cartier Vendôme. Shop a variety of Cartier Vendôme watches on 1stDibs.
What is Cartier famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Cartier is famous for producing jewelry and watches out of rare and luxury-grade materials and creating innovative designs, often packed with symbolism. Some of the jeweler's most famous pieces include the modern Love and Trinity bracelets and its custom-made antique and vintage jewelry like the Crocodile and Patiala necklaces. Find a range of Cartier jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
What is the Cartier logo?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
The Cartier logo is a pair of interlocking Cs. However, many people associate the panther with the French luxury jewelry maker more than its actual logo. Louis Cartier incorporated the feline figure into its design lexicon. In 1914, Cartier hired illustrator George Barbier to design advertisements for the jewelry house. Barbier drafted a drawing that featured a glamorous woman with an elegant panther at her feet, and Cartier loved it. He had an additional connection to the panther in the form of his alleged romantic interest, fellow Cartier designer Jeanne Toussaint, who adored the animal so much that she decorated her apartment with furs and donned a coat of panther fur. Cartier gave her the long-lasting nickname Panthère. Since then, Cartier has offered watches, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and earrings inspired by the panther. Find a diverse assortment of Cartier jewelry on 1stDibs.
What is the Cartier symbol?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
Today, the Cartier symbol, or logo, is the luxury house's name written in a clean serif font that mimics cursive handwriting. Typically, the logo is either black on white or white on a black background. Its refined and understated appearance references the high standards that have long been associated with this celebrated brand.
Why Cartier is so expensive?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
One of the reasons Cartier is so expensive is because, since its inception in 1847, the brand has had a massive celebrity fan base that spans royals, movie stars, singers and socialites. The brand also uses the highest quality metals and gems in their pieces, rendering them expensive to produce. Lastly, most Cartier pieces are easy to identify, making brand recognition a key factor in the brand's exclusivity.
What is so special about Cartier?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
Cartier is special for at least a few reasons. The French luxury brand is one of the most well-known and internationally revered jewelers in the world.

Cartier has helped create style trends over the course of its long history, including playing a prominent role in defining Art Deco jewelry. The brand designed one of the first modern wristwatches for men — the Santos de Cartier — and its Panthère motif and Love bracelet are universally renowned among lovers of fine jewelry.

Additionally, it should come as no surprise that Cartier engagement rings are among the most desirable on the jewelry market for those hoping to be betrothed. The house, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry in the late 1800s, identifying the strong, lustrous metal as ideal for bringing out the true qualities of diamonds.

Find Cartier jewelry for sale on 1stDibs.
Which is cheaper: Rolex or Cartier?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertDecember 17, 2024
There is no definitive answer to the question of which is cheaper, Rolex or Cartier. Some entry-level Cartier watches do tend to have lower starting price points than some Rolex watches. However, both makers offer a wide variety of watches, so it's not accurate to say that Cartier is always the cheaper option. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Cartier and Rolex watches.
Why is it called the Cartier Crash?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
Why it is called the Cartier Crash relates to the unique shape of the watch. The case and dial of the timepiece have a smashed, wavy appearance, similar to what a watch might look like if it were smashed or crushed in a crash or collision. There are various stories of how this imaginative design came into being. Some people claim that the designers Jean-Jacques Cartier and Rupert Emmerson got the idea for the timepiece after a customer brought in a damaged watch for repair. Another theory is that the prominent melting clock in Salvador Dalí's painting The Persistence of Memory served as the inspiration. Shop a variety of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
Are all Cartier rings gold?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
No, not all Cartier rings are gold. Although the luxury jewelry maker produces many white, rose and yellow gold pieces, some rings are platinum. The French jewelry house, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, pioneered the use of platinum in fine jewelry in the late 1800s, identifying the strong, lustrous metal as ideal for bringing out the true qualities of diamonds. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Cartier rings.
Are Cartier diamonds real?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024
Yes, Cartier diamonds are real. The French luxury jewelry maker follows stringent standards when selecting the diamonds that go into its pieces. For example, the central brilliant cut diamonds in Cartier rings that are over 0.3 carats in weight must be classified as Very Good or Excellent to be used by the brand, and Cartier rarely chooses diamonds with clarity ratings below VS2 or color ratings below H. Shop a selection of Cartier diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
How do I wear Cartier earrings?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
How to wear Cartier earrings depends on your personal preferences. Small hoops and studs can balance chunky statement necklaces, while dramatic drops and oversized hoops can become the bold focal point of an outfit. Shop a variety of Cartier earrings on 1stDibs.
Is a Cartier bigger than a Rolex?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023
Whether a Cartier watch is bigger than a Rolex watch depends on the particular timepiece. Cartier offers watches in sizes ranging from 28 millimeters for women to 44 millimeters for men. Rolex's smallest women's watch is bigger than Cartier's at 31 millimeters, but the watchmaker's largest men's watch is only 43 millimeters. Find a variety of Rolex and Cartier watches on 1stDibs.
How do I authenticate my Cartier lighter?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
To authenticate a Cartier lighter, locate the serial number. Then, contact Cartier’s customer service team to assess whether it is a genuine serial number and whether the product type and style match your piece. Check the official Cartier website for current contact information. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Cartier lighters.
Does Cartier make earrings?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Cartier does make earrings as well as a slew of other exquisite and high-end pieces of jewelry. Established in 1847 in Paris, France, this luxury goods brand is known throughout the world for its jewelry and watches. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Cartier pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
When was the Cartier Panthère made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
While the Panthère de Cartier watch collection was initially launched in 1983, Cartier included panther spots (and only the spots) in diamonds and onyx on at least one women’s watch in 1914 and another in 1915. These creations were conceived by the Cartier designer Charles Jacqueau. The cat’s major breakthrough came in 1949, with a brooch on which Jeanne Toussaint worked hand in glove with designer Peter Lemarchand. The luxury jewelry house now offers dozens of versions of the Panthère de Cartier timepiece, including double- and triple-wrap bracelets, a series of cuffs and a diamond-encrusted panther spot version. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Cartier pieces from some of the world's top sellers.
Which Cartier Tank is the original?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
The original Cartier Tank watch, which was emblematic of a stark departure from the renowned jewelry house’s curved and round watch faces in that its case resembled the FT-17’s cockpit, served as a sleek update to the Santos watch. Crafted in 1917, one year before the Great War came to a close, Cartier’s Tank watch reportedly borrowed its clean, sharp lines and boxy silhouette from France’s legendary Renault FT-17 light tank, itself a compact and extraordinary design that inspired numerous copies. When the Tank watch went to market, Cartier offered a limited run in Paris. After those quickly sold, it was given a name, the Tank Normale. The timepiece took off in popularity, but only slightly more than 30 were made in 1920 and annual production has been slow over the years since then. Find Cartier Tank watches on 1stDibs.
Which Cartier watch is the most iconic?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023
Which Cartier watch is the most iconic is open to debate. One of the French luxury brand's most influential watches is the Cartier Tank, which debuted in 1917. A women's watch, the Cartier Panthere is another of the brand's legendary designs. It was introduced in 1914, and its original design drew inspiration from a painting of a panther by artist George Barbier. Shop a large collection of Cartier watches on 1stDibs.

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