New Cavendish Jewellers is proud to be an official retail partner for Cartier since the mid-eighties. Cartier’s history is rich one, full of wonderful stories and emblematic of their cultural importance to the world of Jewellery and Watches as well as the luxury sector in general. Please see below an abbreviated chronology of Cartier’s incredible history.

Maison Cartier

1847

Louis Cartier takes the workshop of his Master, Adolphe Picard, at 29 Rue Montorgueil, beginning the foundation of Maison Cartier.

1856

Princess Mathilde, cousin of Emperor Napoleon buys a Cartier creation for the first time launching the Maison into Parisian High Society.

1898

Louis Cartier, Grandson to the Founder, joins the business.

1899

Louis Cartier establishes Cartier’s first Boutique on Rue de la Paix.

ROLL OVER TO BRING THE PICTURE TO LIFE

1900-1930

CARTIER, PIONEER
OF MODERN JEWELLERY

1902

The first Cartier Boutique in London is opened by Pierre Cartier at 4 New Burlington Street, coinciding with the coronation of King Edward VII.

1904

Cartier receive their first Royal Warrant, issued by King Edward VII – with Cartier quickly becoming the official purveyor to a number of Royal courts. In the same year, Louis Cartier designed the Santos de Cartier for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, which is both the first wristwatch made for men as well as technically the first Pilot’s watch.

1909
ROLL OVER TO BRING THE PICTURE TO LIFE

Pierre Cartier travels across the Atlantic and opens the first Cartier Boutique in New York at 712 Fifth Avenue.

1914

The Panthere de Cartier motif appears in a Cartier design for the first time.

1917

The creation of the Tank watch is begun with launch in 1919.

1933-1970

A NEW CONCEPT OF
FREEDOM

1933

Jeanne Toussaint, who had been with the Maison since 1920 takes over as Creative Director from Louis Cartier – affectionately known as The Panther, she was to leave her mark on the Cartier concept of Jewellery as we know it today.

ROLL OVER TO BRING THE PICTURE TO LIFE
1948

The Duke of Windsor commissions a brooch which incorporates a three-dimensional Panther for the first time.

1967

Cartier London creates the famous Crash watch.

THE 1970S

AHEAD OF THE
CURVE

1973

Saw the create of the Must de Cartier line.

1977

From this capsule saw the creation of the Les Must de Cartier watches highlighted by their use of Vermeil dials.

1979

The Santos de Cartier watch is delivered as a production model – combining steel and gold for the first time.

THE ‘80S AND ‘90S

THE BEGINNING OF
A NEW ERA

1983

The beginning of an era with the creation of the Panthere de Cartier watch.

1983

The Cartier Collection is launched with an aim to preserve and highlight Cartier’s wonderful history with remarkable pieces being loaned to Museums and Exhibitions globally.

1985

Launch of Pasha de Cartier collection borne of a request by the Pasha of Marrakesh.

1996

Creation of the Tank Française line of watches.

FROM THE 2000S TO TODAY

CARTIER’S
COMMITTED
CREATIVITY

2007

Launch of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier.

© 2023 New Cavendish Jewellers. All rights reserved.