The history of Cartier is fantastic, as it invented many styles of watches that are still produced today. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, Cartier is known for creating jewelry masterpieces for kings and world leaders. It wasn’t until 1911 when Louis Cartier, grandson of founder Louis-Francois Cartier, introduced the Santos to launch Cartier’s timepiece collection and begin Cartier’s rich history of fashion watchmaking.

Louis Cartier (1875–1942) was a famous French watchmaker and businessman known worldwide for his elegant and extravagant designs in watches. A son of Alfred Cartier, he was passionate about mechanical pocket watches and had the goal of creating his own line of timepieces. Although Patek Phillipe created the first wristwatch in 1868, Louis Cartier is responsible for helping to popularize it over the traditional pocket watch. The most important steps in Cartier's family business were made by several generations: Louis Francois Cartier, his son Alfred Cartier and three grandsons, Pierre, Jacque and Louis Francois.

In 1874, Cartier's son Alfred took over the business and expanded it considerably. That included replica watches, which Louis-Francois had only dabbled in. In 1899, Alfred's son Louis Cartier entered the firm. Louis Cartier was a great lover of mechanical pocket watches and wanted the company to build its own branded Cartier watches.

In 1904, Louis Cartier met the Brazilian aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont, who complained of the unreliability of pocket watches in flight. Cartier rose to the challenge, designing a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was not only a hit with Santos-Dumont, but also with Cartier's many clients. Thus, out of this timeless design, the "Santos" watch was born. Incredibly enough, this Cartier watch is still produced today in much the same form.

In 1907, Cartier signed a contract with Edmond Jaeger, who agreed to exclusively supply the movements for Cartier watches. By this time, Cartier had branches in London, New York and St. Petersburg and was quickly becoming one of the most successful watch companies in the world. The introduction of the Baignoire and Tortue Cartier watch models (both of which are still in production today) took place in 1912, followed by the Tank model's debut in 1917. In 1932, the watertight watch, made especially for the Pasha of Marrakesh, raised the bar even higher. Needless to say, the innovations, both in terms of design and technology, continued apace.

In the early 1920s, Cartier formed a joint company with Edward Jaeger (of the famed Jaeger-Le Coultre company) to produce movements solely for Cartier. Thus was the famed European watch & clock company born, although Cartier continued to use movements from other great makers. Cartier watches can be found with movements from Vacheron Constantin, Audemars-Piguet, Movado and Le Coultre.

It was also during this period that Cartier began adding its own reference numbers to the watches it sold, usually by stamping a four-digit code on the underside of a lug. In fact, many collectors refuse to accept a Cartier watch as original unless these numbers are present.

Cartier also created the Deployment Folding Clasp in 1910, which is now used by numerous watch houses across the Globe. In 1917 the Cartier Tank Francaise was introduced, a model which is today considered a classic example of style and design.

Most contemporary Cartier watches are based upon the distinctive designs of founder Louis-Francois Cartier.

Today, Cartier's best-sellers include the classic "Tank"; the hot and fashionable "Tank Francaise", a distinctive sports watch similar in concept to the Santos; the "Pasha", which has become a very watch for ladies; and the "Panther" which features a beautiful bracelet available in 18K gold, stainless steel and gold, or stainless steel. 

Needless to say, a Cartier watch is finished to very high standards. The cases and bracelets in particular are meticulously handcrafted and exude quality in every sense of the word. Yet in spite of the famous brand name and timeless designs, Cartier watches are available in a wide range of prices and styles. If you are looking for a prestigious name brand that offers a mix of quality craftsmanship and contemporary styling, one need look further than Cartier.

Cartier replicas watches on our site is special as the originals too. The replica Cartiers have always made wristwatches in a variety of shapes, round, square, tortue, tonneau, rectangular, and oval, rather than limiting to one or two shapes. Their designs have always managed to be classic and modern at the same time. A replica Cartier watch can always be relied upon to make a fashion statement. Their emphasis on quality and design was a heritage from their beginnings as a jewellers. Cartier has consistently used the best quality for their watch cases, dials and movements, and this has reaped rich rewards as their customers return time after time to acquire more of the unique Cartier Magic.