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| Louis-François Cartier (1819-1904) |
Found In Paris, France In 1847
Louis Francois Cartier (1819-1904) followed the steps of his grandfather, also called Louis Francois Cartier (1755-1793), by becoming a goldsmith. He started his career as an apprentice to Adolphe Picard, producing handmade jewellery in a small workshop at 29 Rue Montorgeuil, and quickly developed into one of the finest jewellers in Paris.
1847,Adolphe Picard died, Cartier succeeded him and the company that bore his name was born.
Louis Francois was able to expand his business of designing and selling jewellery to the more fashionable Palais-Royal district, in premised at 5 Rue Neuve des petits Champs. He became a favorite of Princess Mathilde, the cousin of Napoleon III, whose patronage opened the door to Parisian society. This made a move to larger premises at 9 Rue des Italiens a necessity.
Alfred Cartier (1841-1925) took over the company from his father Louis Francois in 1874. Alfreds three sons - Louis, Pierre and Jaques - would eventually turn the family business into a global empire.
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| Alfred Cartier and his three sons, left to right Pierre (NY) Louis (Paris) Jacques (London) |
Louis, Pierre and Jacques that actually established the brand. Once referred to as the “jeweler to the kings” the company has a long history of serving royalty as well as famous stars and celebrities—tiaras for coronations, ornate custom jewelry as well as fine timepieces. Cartier is credited with inventing the first wristwatch the “Santos”, after the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend, Louis Cartier, of the impracticality of using a pocket watch when operating an aircraft. Though the family business was sold in 1964, the company continued to expand, but it was not until the 1970s that new product lines including leather goods, pens, scarves and fragrances were introduced which brought a fresh new look to Cartie1909, Following the success of their London branch they expanded into the huge American Market by opening a shop in New York run by Pierre Cartier (1878-1965). Just as the aristocracy patronized the London branch, so Pierre Cartier had his particular crowd of adoring patrons. Pierre, whose lifelong ambition had been to become an ambassador, was well suited to the fast pace of life in New York.Cartier Paris initially sent all merchandise for they shop across the Atlantic, but a workshop was soon set up in New York and Pierre with the help of Jules Glaenzer, quickly established the brands image across America.
Cartier S.A., commonly known as "Cartier", is a French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer. The corporation carries the name of the Cartier family of jewelers whose control ended in 1964 and who were known for numerous pieces including the "Bestiary" (best illustrated by the Panthère brooch of the 1940s created for Wallis Simpson), the diamond necklace created for Bhupinder Singh the Maharaja of Patiala and in 1904 the first practical wristwatch, the "Santos." Cartier SA is headquartered in Paris.
The company has a long and distinguished history of serving royalty, as well as stars and celebrities. One Prince of Wales hailed Cartier as "Joaillier des Rois, Roi des Joailliers" (Jeweller to Kings, King of Jewelers"). Cartier received an order for 27 tiaras for the coronation of the future King. King Edward VII was crowned in 1902 and in 1904 he honoured the Company with the Royal warrant of supplier to the Royal Court of England. Similar warrants soon followed from the courts of Spain, Portugal, Russia, Siam, Greece, Serbia, Belgium, Romania, Egypt and finally Albania, and also from the House of Orleans and the Principality of Monaco.
Cartier Monde (French for "World") is also the world's largest luxury jeweler, operating nearly 200 retail stores in more than 125 countries. Cartier operates its own chain of nearly 200 retail stores, including the company's flagship locations in Paris, New York, and London; during the 1990s the company made strong expansion moves, opening in such mid-level markets as St. Louis and Seattle.
