1847
Louis-François Cartier
(1819-1904)
took over the jewellery workshop of his apprenticeship master Adolphe Picard at 29, Rue Montorgueil in Paris.
1853
Cartier opened its first salon de vente at 5, Rue Neuve-des-Petits-Champs in Paris.
1856
Princess Mathilde,
cousin to Emperor Napoléon III, made her first purchase from Cartier. She opened the Maison to a clientele from Parisian high society.
1859
Empress Eugénie,
wife of Emperor Napoléon III, became a client.
1859
Cartier moved to 9, Boulevard des Italiens in Paris.
1872
Louis-François Cartier
joined forces with his son Alfred (1841-1925).
1895
First design of a platinum and diamond solitaire recorded in archives.
1899
On the initiative of Alfred’s son Louis Cartier (1875-1942), who joined the Maison in 1898, Cartier settled at 13, Rue de la Paix in Paris.
1899
Cartier introduced a new style of jewellery, later baptised "Garland style", combining the pioneering use of platinum with neo-classical inspiration.
1902
Pierre Cartier
(1878-1964),
Alfred’s second son, opened a branch at 4 New Burlington Street in London. The opening coincided with the coronation of King Edward VII.
1904
Cartier received its first royal warrant as official supplier to King Edward VII of England.
Appointment as official supplier to King Alfonso XIII of Spain.
1904
Louis Cartier
created the first watch expressly designed to be worn on the wrist, for his friend the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.
1904
First jewels prefiguring the Art Deco style, joining abstract and geometric shapes with colour combinations.
1904-1905
Pierre Cartier
travelled to Russia.
1906
Alfred Cartier’s
third son, Jacques (1884-1941), took over the London branch.
1906
Creation of the Tonneau wristwatch.
1907
Appointment as official supplier to Tsar Nicolas II of Russia.
1908
First baguette-cut diamond recorded in archives.
1908
First temporary store in Saint Petersburg.
1909
Patent requested for wristwatches’ folding buckle, delivered one year later.
1909
Transfer of the London store to 175/6 New Bond Street.
Pierre Cartier opened a subsidiary in New York at 712 Fifth Avenue.
1910
Pierre Cartier
sold the blue Hope Diamond to an American client, Evalyn Walsh McLean.
1910
Around 1910, Cartier began promoting jewellery combining the white of the diamond with the black of lacquer or onyx, which has imposed itself as one of Cartier’s major stylistic codes.
1911
Commercialisation of the Santos de Cartier wristwatch.
1911
Jacques Cartier
travelled to India to attend the Delhi Durbar and to the Persian Gulf during the winter 1911-1912.
1912
First mystery clock: Model A.
1914
The first panther pattern appeared on a lady’s wristwatch in diamonds and onyx.
1917
The New York store moved to 653 Fifth Avenue, the mansion home of Morton F. Plant which Pierre Cartier acquired in exchange for a double-strand pearl necklace.
Opening of the Cartier New York workshop later named “American Art Works”.
1917
First design of the Tank wristwatch.
1919
Commercialisation of the Tank wristwatch.
1921
Appointment as official supplier to the Prince of Wales, future King Edward VIII who, on abdicating in 1936, became the Duke of Windsor.
1921
Creation of the Tank Cintrée wristwatch.
1922
First Chimera bracelet.
1923
First Portico mystery clock.
1924
Creation of the three-band ring and bracelet combining three colours, later known as Trinity. Jean Cocteau was one of the first to wear the three-gold ring.
1925
Cartier made a memorable appearance at the International Exhibition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris.
1925
Creation of the Department S (for “silver”) devoted to accessories and entrusted to Jeanne Toussaint.
1925
Creation of the first bracelet in sapphires, emeralds and rubies carved with vegetal motifs, arranged in a floral composition. This style will later be named “Tutti Frutti”.
1925
At the International Exhibition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts, Cartier presented the emerald set named “Bérénice”.
1928
Commission by Bhupinder Singh, Maharajah of Patiala of a ceremonial jewellery ensemble.
1930
The American actress Gloria Swanson acquired two bracelets in rock crystal and diamonds.
1931
Commission by the Maharani of Patiala of three necklaces in rubies, pearls and diamonds.
1932
Creation of the Reversible Tank watch.
1933
Jeanne Toussaint
(1887-1976)
became Creative Director of Cartier. She oversaw the creations until 1970.
1933
Cartier filed a patent for the “invisible mount”, a diamond-setting technique in which the metal of the mount disappears to show only the stones.
1934
First “Gas Pipe” bracelet. It was a great success in the post-war years.
1935
Cartier opened a store in Monte-Carlo.
1935
First panther in volume for a ring.
1936
Commission by Daisy Fellowes of a “Hindu” necklace.
1936
Creation of the Asymmetrical Tank.
1938
Cartier opened a store in Cannes.
1938
The smallest wristwatch in the world, by Cartier, was given to Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom.
1942
Creation of the “Caged Bird” brooch as a symbol of the Occupation. In 1944, the “Freed Bird” brooch celebrated the Liberation of Paris.
1945
Claude Cartier,
son of Louis, took the helm of Cartier New York while Jean-Jacques Cartier, son of Jacques, took off the reins of Cartier London.
1948
The Duke of Windsor commissioned for his wife a yellow gold panther brooch on a 116-carat emerald. It was the first panther rendered in its entire three dimensional anatomy.
1949
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor purchased, in Paris, a platinum panther brooch on a 152.35-carat cabochon-cut sapphire from Kashmir.
1953
Queen Elizabeth II
entrusted Cartier with the pink Williamson diamond, which the jeweller set on a brooch.
1955
Creation of Jean Cocteau’s sword for his election to the Académie française, to the artist’s own design.
1956
For her marriage to Prince Rainier III, Princess Grace received numerous gifts of jewellery by Cartier including her engagement ring, set with a 10.48-carat emerald-cut diamond.
1957
A loyal customer, Barbara Hutton purchased a tiger brooch in yellow gold, onyx and yellow diamonds.
1964
First participation of Cartier at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris.
1967
Creation of the Crash wristwatch in London.
1968
The Mexican actress María Félix commissioned Cartier to make a snake necklace.
1968
Cartier granted Robert Hocq a licence to create an oval lighter with a retractable wheel under the Cartier name.
1969
Cartier acquired an exceptional 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond and immediately sold it to Richard Burton who gave it to Elizabeth Taylor for her birthday. The famous Cartier diamond was thus renamed the Cartier-Taylor-Burton.
1969
Opening of stores in Geneva and Hong Kong.
1969
Creation of the Love bracelet in New York.
1971
Creation of the Nail bracelet in New York.
1972
Cartier Paris was taken over by a group of investors united by Joseph Kanoui.
1973
Creation of Les Must de Cartier by Robert Hocq in collaboration with Alain-Dominique Perrin, named General Director of the company Les Must de Cartier.
1974
Launch of the first leather collection.
1975
Commission by María Félix of a crocodile necklace transformable into two brooches.
1976
Creation of the first oval pen.
1977
First collection of Les Must de Cartier vermeil watches.
1978
Creation of the Santos de Cartier watch with a metal bracelet.
1978
Creation of the first Cartier scarves.
1979
Cartier Paris, Cartier London and Cartier New York were united as a single legal entity, named “Cartier World”.
1981
Launch of the Must de Cartier and Santos de Cartier fragrances.
1982
Micheline Kanoui
nominated High Jewellery Director.
1982
First collection of Nouvelle Joaillerie.
1983
Creation of the Collection Cartier with the ambition to build a heritage collection representative of the Maison’s production.
1983
Creation of the Panthère de Cartier watch.
1984
Creation of the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Jouy-en-Josas.
Cartier became a partner of the Windsor International Polo Tournament, in England.
1985
Launch of the Pasha de Cartier wristwatch.
1987
Launch of a collection devoted to tableware, “Les Maisons de Cartier”.
Launch of the first Panther perfume.
1988
Launch of the Tank Américaine wristwatch.
1988
Cartier joined the Richemont group.
1989
“The Art of Cartier”, the first major retrospective featuring the Cartier Collection at the Petit Palais, in Paris.
1991
Establishment of the Comité International de la Haute Horlogerie (CIHH). The first Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva.
1991
Fifth collection of Nouvelle Joaillerie on the theme of “La Route des Indes”.
1992
“The Art of Cartier” exhibition at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg.
1994
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain moved to the Left Bank in Paris into a building on Boulevard Raspail, designed by the architect Jean Nouvel.
1995
Creation of the Pasha C wristwatch in steel.
1996
Creation of the Tank Française wristwatch.
1997
Cartier 150 years celebration.
1997
“Cartier 1900-1939” retrospective at the British Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
1997
Opening of the first Cartier store in mainland China, in Beijing.
1997
Launch of the Diabolo pen.
1998
New launch of the Trinity ring.
1998
Creation of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris Fine Watch collection. For the first time, the Maison united specially shaped watches and Fine Watchmaking movements.
1999
Creation of the Paris Nouvelle Vague Cartier jewellery collection, inspired by Paris.
1999
Launch of the Cartier website.
2001
Launch of the Roadster watch.
2001
The intersection of Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street was officially named “Place de Cartier” by the City of New York.
2001
Opening of the watchmaking manufacture at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
2002
Creation of the Tank Divan wristwatch.
2002
“Le Baiser du Dragon” jewellery collection.
2002
“Cartier Design Viewed by Ettore Sottsass”
exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum in
Berlin then at the Palazzo Reale de Milan.
This exhibition was later presented at
the Daigoji Temple in Kyoto and at
the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
2002
Founding of the Cartier Jewellery-Making
Institute, which trains new generations
in the jeweller’s arts.
2003
“Les Délices de Goa” jewellery collection.
2003
The Kimberley Process was implemented and Cartier immediately adopted measures to end trade in conflict diamonds.
2003
Cartier opened a store at 154, Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
2004
Marking the one-hundredth anniversary of the Santos de Cartier wristwatch, creation of the Santos 100, Santos Demoiselle and new Santos-Dumont wristwatches.
2004
Presentation of the historic Star of the South diamond weighing 128.48 carats at the 22nd Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris.
2005
Creation of the “Caresse d’Orchidées” High Jewellery collection.
2005
Creation of a bespoke
fragrance service at
13, Rue de la Paix store.
2005
Cartier co-founded the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices.
2005
Exhibition of Ron Mueck’s artwork at the Fondation Cartier
pour l’art contemporain, in Paris.
2006
Creation of the La Doña de Cartier wristwatch.
2006
Creation of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.
2007
Creation of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier wristwatch.
2007
Presentation of the “Inde Mystérieuse” High Jewellery collection.
2007
“Cartier, Innovation through the 20th century” retrospective at the Kremlin Museum, in Moscow.
2008
Creation of the caliber 9452 MC, the first Cartier caliber to be stamped with the Geneva Seal.
2008
Creation of Roadster, fragrance for men.
2008
Launch of the Rotonde de Cartier watch.
2009
Cartier Collection hosted at the Palace Museum, in Beijing, for the exhibition “Cartier Treasures: King of Jewellers, Jeweller to Kings.”
2010
Launch of the Calibre de Cartier watch.
2010
Integration of a glyptic workshop. Cartier is the only major jeweller to have such a workshop directed by a Maître d’art.
2011
First exhibition dedicated to Cartier watchmaking designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. First venue at the Bellerive Museum, Zurich.
2011
Catherine Middleton
wears a Cartier tiara at her wedding with Prince William.
2011
Launch of the Baiser Volé fragrance.
2012
Presentation of the “Dépaysement” High Jewellery collection at the 26th Biennale des Antiquaires.
2012
Creation of the Tank Anglaise wristwatch.
2012
Launch of the Juste un Clou collection.
2012
Broadcast of the advertising film “L’Odyssée de Cartier” presenting the stylistic path of the Maison.
2012
Creation of the Cartier Charitable Foundation, later renamed Cartier Philanthropy.
2013
Launch of the new Paris Nouvelle Vague collection, enriched with new creations the following years.
2013
"Cartier. Style and History” exhibition at the Grand Palais, Paris.
2014
Presentation at the 27th Biennale des Antiquaires of the “Cartier Royal” High Jewellery collection, with as its masterpiece a tiara adorned with a natural pearl having belonged to Queen Mary of England.
2014
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain 30 years celebration.
2014
Launch of La Panthère fragrance.
2014
Creation of the Amulette de Cartier collection.
2015
Reopening of the Champs-Élysées store.
2015
“Asia Imagined” exhibition at the Fondation Baur in Geneva.
2015
Creation of the Clé de Cartier watch.
2015
Launch of the C de Cartier bag.
2015
Opening of the Maison des métiers d’art
at La Chaux-de-Fonds.
2016
Reopening of the Mansion New York store, after two years of renovation.
2016
Launch of L’Envol de Cartier fragrance.
2016
Creation of the Drive de Cartier watch.
2016
Creation of the Cactus de Cartier Fine Jewellery collection.
2017
Relaunch of the Panthère de Cartier wristwatch.
2017
Launch of the Love bracelet small model.
2017
“Cartier in Motion” at the Design Museum in London, curated by renowned architect Norman Foster. First exhibition to explore Cartier watchmaking from a design perspective.
2018
Launch of the Cartier Carat perfume.
2018
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain exhibited its collection for the first time in China with “Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, A Beautiful Elsewhere” presented at Power Station of Art, Shanghai.
2018
Launch of the Guirlande de Cartier bag.
2019
“Beyond Boundaries: Cartier and The Palace Museum Craftsmanship and Restoration Exhibition” in the Beijing Palace Museum.
“Crystallization of Time” exhibition presented at the National Art Center in Tokyo designed by New Material Research Laboratory founded by Hiroshi Sugimoto and Tomoyuki Sakakida. First exhibition dedicated to Cartier style displaying contemporary creations and historic pieces from the Cartier Collection.
2019
Creation of the new jewellery collection Clash de Cartier.
2019
New design for the Baignoire de Cartier watch.
2019
Cartier signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles.
2020
Relaunch of the Pasha de Cartier wristwatch.
2020
Partnership between the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain and Triennale Milano.
2020
Creation of the Cartier for Nature fund, dedicated to preserving biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
2021
Cartier unveils a new Thank Must equipped with the SolarBeat™️ movement and a bracelet crafted in an innovative material made from apple by-products.
2021
Cartier joins forces with La Biennale di Venezia and becomes main sponsor of the Venice International Film Festival. The Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker prize is created on this occasion.
2021
Cocreation of the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubaï.
2021
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris presents "Cartier and Islamics arts: in search of modernity", an exhibition co-organized by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris and the Dallas Museum of Art, with the exceptional collaboration of the Musée du Louvre and the support of the Maison Cartier. It will travel to Dallas the following year.
2022
Launch of the Indomptables de Cartier collection.
