Cartier Watches

Cartier Watches: Born to be Bold

All watch enthusiasts around the world know how majestic Cartier is. Nothing is closer to the most luxurious watches more than this French brand. The name itself points to open-mindedness and curiosity, sees beauty in everything, which makes every Cartier creation remarkable and excellent. 

The luxury watches for men and women range from classic to the most high-end pieces that attract thousands of prominent wearers. This is the brand that introduced the very first square dial and developed innovative watches, such as the Cartier Tank, Santos de Cartier, and Calibre de Cartier. 

So, whether you are looking for an everyday wear, minimalist style, or a grand a pièce de résistance, Cartier has got you.

How much is a Cartier watch? 

Cartier’s Watch Collections

Prices for the Ballon Bleu de Cartier: Dress Watches Fit for Royalty

The Ballon Bleu de Cartier has only been released back in 2006, which are all made with sculptural cases and polished bracelets. The collection was made to represent a perfect combination of the brand’s history, present, and future. Also, it adds a touch of modernity in every design particularly in the curved cases that exactly adapt to the shape of the wrist, making it more comfortable for the wearer. No wonder it’s a favorite of the Duchess of Cambridge herself, Kate Middleton. 

One of its best-selling watches is the Ballon Bleu de Cartier 28mm Quartz for women, which costs around $8,249 USD. This timepiece is so simple that it breaks the common design of women’s watches, which is usually all glitz and sparkle. But this time, it features a subtle yet very attractive look that fits perfectly into the Maison’s design concept. Furthermore, the diamond bezel features a timeless look, adding more sophistication and making sure that it still belongs to the range of luxury watches.

Prices for the Santos de Cartier: The Brand’s First Square Watch

The Santos de Cartier collection was released as the first modern watch of the brand. It features a contemporary masterstroke with a Calibre 1847 powerhouse. The designs of this collection are the epitome of Cartier watchmaking – minimalist, detailed, high-precision, and draws on the concept of form. This is an iconic collection because it was the Maison’s first square watch. Furthermore, simplicity, practicality, and innovations are the three main principles that guided the creation of this iconic timepiece. 

The latest models of this collection still have the same iteration from the brand: it’s always designed for those that aim higher. Now, the Santos de Cartier WSSA0009 ranks as the most popular one. It is equipped with the “QuickSwitch'' interchangeability system, which allows you to change its looks instantly through its underside button that easily releases the strap from the lugs. It also has a “SmartLink'' system that can resize the watch to perfectly fit your wrist without any tools needed. To furnish its sophisticated look, it comes with the iconic square bezel plate that brings back the traditional Santos de Cartier designs during the 1900s. 

Prices for the Pasha de Cartier: Sporty-Elegant Watches

The Pasha de Cartier is a selection of watches that made its comeback in 2020, but it was first created only for the Pasha of Marrakesh back in the 1930s. A decade later, it became an iconic piece that draws its inspiration from the brand’s round wristwatches. Just like any other collection, it also went through different styles and designs throughout the years. 

Now, it became a distinct collection of watches because of its unique power and elegance through its construction. If you have been a fan of these watches, you probably know that the Pasha de Cartier Skeleton WHPA0007 is one of the popular and most expensive pieces of them all, costing around $25,300 USD. The brand itself flaunted its features such as the contemporary design, which makes it distinct from the previous models. Its movement consists of 172 parts, which is resistant to magnetism while the signature chained crown protector can be engraved with initials, making it more unique than the other Cartier watches. 

Prices for the Cartier Tank: Classic Dress Watches for Men and Women

The Cartier Tank collection is a creation of watches made from a very surprising concept – tanks of the battlefields in World War I. Men and women of Cartier adore all the creative versions of this line: Tank Louis Cartier, Tank Solo, Tank Cintrée, Tank Divan, Tank Asymétrique, and Tank Américaine.

Presently, the Cartier Tank Solo W5200014 Men’s Watch is one of the sought-after pieces in this collection because of how unique yet classic the design is. Whether you own one or about to purchase one, you definitely know how modest and modern this watch is. First, it can be for men or women who prefer a subtly elegant look. Next, its intricate indexes and the silvered opaline dial are unquestionably distinctive like no other. 

At a price of $3,099 USD, you can already have your own luxurious experience along with other popular individuals. What makes it more worth your dollars is the quartz movement and the stainless steel material that suits any outfit you have.

Prices for the Clé de Cartier: Sleek Watches for the Gentleman

Exact proportions and clean soft lines are the concepts behind the Clé de Cartier collection. The brand aimed to feature balance, precision, and proportion in these pieces, too. When you try to look at the models of this line, you will notice how minimally elegant they are yet they are able to portray a luxurious look that few of the watches can. 

One of its notable timepieces is the Clé de Cartier 40mm Automatic Stainless Steel that can be bought for $4,269 USD. The word “Clé” in English means “key”, which denotes the watch’s traditional clock winding key set with a synthetic spinel. It has a silver flinqué dial with a sunray guilloche pattern center that comes with a fine printed minuter tracker. Your comfort is a priority of this piece as you can see in its sleek, curved case. Plus, the stainless steel crown is completed with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that will surely enable you to achieve the different styles that you want. 

Prices for the Ronde de Cartier: Timeless and Contemporary 

If you want to own a timeless watch that has the “Cartier signature” design, then you must check out the Ronde de Cartier collection. The customary design of this line carries a classic and distinct look that includes stainless steels and alligator materials for the comfortable straps; big Roman numerals for a clear glance of the time, gold fittings to keep the elegant expressions, and beaded steel crowns for added aesthetics.

Now, the most trendy piece that you can get is the Ronde Solo de Cartier WSRN0012 watch that got its signature features from the Ronde Louis Cartier timepieces. You can see that it preserves its elegance through its Roman numerals, rail-track minute circle, and blue sword-shaped hands. With a price of $3,500 USD, you can already complete your trendsetter look with a lovely watch. 

Prices for the Calibre de Cartier: A Rugged and Sporty Option for Him

The Calibre de Cartier is another round-shaped but modern and sporty collection of watches from this French company. These men’s watches got their concept from the first in-house automatic movement ever developed and produced by Cartier. In 2010, this collection was launched flaunting its remarkable feature which is the baton hour markers on the bottom half of its dial and a mix of Roman numerals for the upper portion. 

The Calibre de Cartier Diver 42.00mm Automatic men’s watch that costs around $7,499 USD is the top-selling piece that you can find in this series. The 1904-PS MC feature signifies its 28,800 movement beats per hour and provides a 48-hour power reserve along with the unique rotor set of ceramic ball bearings. The “PS” stands for “petite secondes” while the “MC” means the “Manufacture Cartier”. And since Cartier is known for producing remarkable bracelets, the strap of this watch is made of rubber, making it comfortable for every occasion.

Prices for the Drive de Cartier: From Track Suit to Black Tie

Another men’s watch from Cartier is the Drive de Cartier that was released in 2016. The Drive de Cartier is the watch of choice by exceptional men in sports, food, and film industry, such as Chris Paul, Dominique Ansel, and Chang Chen, respectively. All the watches are defined by a classic cushion-shaped case, satin-brushed dial, domed sapphire crystal, and bold Roman numerals. 

Whether dressed in casual attire or in an all-black suit, the Drive de Cartier 41.00mm Automatic Silver Dial will surely help you spruce up. It has perfectly curved crystals, an intricate guilloché pattern, a precise radial pattern in the sub-dial, minimized gap between the curved case and the leather strap.

Lastly, its Calibre 1904-PS MC feature will build a solid connection between the owner and the watch itself through the accurate telling of the time and rate using its high-precision chronometer. For $7,069 USD, you can already have rich pleasure from this Swiss-made watch. 

Prices for the Panthère de Cartier: Opulence and Elegance in One Watch

The iconic square cased and linked bracelets are what the Panthère de Cartier boasts about in this collection. These are the kind of Cartier watches for women that are ultra-flexible. The concept behind this set is to aim for clean lines that still achieve a quintessential jewelry watch without losing sight of its softness when launched in the 1980s.

The most well-sought piece is the Panthère de Cartier HPI01096 that costs around $141,000 USD. It is the exact epitome of opulence and glamor in one timepiece. It is a Rhodiumized 18K white gold dial set with 118 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 0.32 carats and enamel spots. Furthermore, you would not want to miss the 18K white gold bracelet that gives more radiance to your look. Iit comes with 374 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 5.37 carats and enamel spots. 

Prices for the Cartier Santos-Dumont: Ode to the First Pilot Watch

Named after the Brazilian aviator Albert Santos Dumont, the Cartier Santos-Dumont is a collectin of watches that offers geometric shapes and exposed screws, making it one of the first wristwatches for men that were mass-produced by Louis Cartier in 1904. The first few Santos-Dumont models measure 36mm and come in platinum or yellow gold, powered by a Frédéric Piguet movement. 

The newest release of this collection in 2019 made a trend because of its two-toned models and its crowns were made as a reference to the crown of the first few Santos models back in the 1900s. And yes, it is the Santos-Dumont Manual-Winding men’s watch that we are referring to. It is an extra-large model that comes with a blue alligator leather strap to match any attire that you wear without compromising the luxury and elegance.

With a price of $5,489, you can already own an aesthetic watch that features caliber 430 MC movement along with the beaded steel crown set with a blue cabochon synthetic spinel. 

Cartier’s Milestones and Innovations

1. Cartier’s milestones throughout history are also marked with numerous innovations that made history in the world of horology. In fact, it has produced innovative designs and technology over a century. These are the few of its remarkable innovations:

2. Cartier Santos watches (1908-1911) - The first-ever wristwatch was also an inspiration for the Santos-Dumont collection.

3. Cartier Tank Cintrée (1921) - This marks as one of the first best-seller wristwatches of the brand.

4. Les Must de Cartier (1973) - An innovation that was sold for only twelve pieces in Cartier’s “Must” boutiques in Paris. 

5. Cartier Roadster chronograph (2003) - The first sporty version of watches launched by Cartier.

• 6. Rotonde Astrotourbillon (2010) - A five-year development was invested in these pieces making it a highlight because of the hand-wound movement for 48 hours without rewinding.
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• 7. Pasha de Cartier (2020) - It is one of the newly released models, which is based largely on the original 1980s generation but this time, with a lot of innovations.

Cartier's History with Royalties

The French jeweler has always been a favorite among celebrities and even several royalties, from Queen Alexandra to the Duchess of Cambridge. During the start of the brand’s popularity, one of its loyal clients was King Edward VII, who then awarded Cartier with a Royal Warrant, making the brand the official purveyor of jewels to the crown. 

One of its extraordinary pieces that were provided to the British royals was the Halo tiara that was gifted by King George VI to the Queen Mother in 1936. Now, it was inherited by the Duchess of Cambridge as a wedding present from Prince William in 2011.

Up Close with the the Calibre De Cartier: The First In-House Calibre

The Calibre de Cartier is the first in-house chronograph movement developed by the brand itself. The Calibre de Cartier Chronograph 1904-CH MC is one of the most impressive pieces sold. It represents all of the pieces in the collection that features a modern and sporty look with a more stable chronometric rate, ensures excellent shock resistance and durability through its central rotor with ceramic ball bearings. Its column wheel is visible through a round aperture, which activates the chronograph function. 

Spotlight on the Cartier Crash at Christie's

An 18K yellow gold Cartier Crash has established a record auction at Christie’s. The 1991 limited-edition watch was auctioned at a price of $225,000 USD. This model is finished with a circular nickel movement with the classic asymmetrical caseback fastened by four screws, concealed bar lugs, and the 18K asymmetrical buckle deployment clasp. It has bold Roman numerals on top of the cream dial, which makes it unique from the 1967 original piece.

The Colorful History Behind Cartier 

The name Cartier is already a renowned brand of luxury watches since 1847 in Paris, France. It all started by French jeweler Louis François Cartier, who was then an apprentice to Adolphe Picard. 

Back then, engraved gems and cameos were on trend in the fashion industry, so the rookie made his own items as his first step as a professional jeweler. Bon vivant Alberto Santos-Dumont, a significant friend of Louis contributed a lot to the popularity of Cartier because of its aim to create a special wristwatch that can help steer his flying machine by showing the time at high altitudes. 

In 1911, the Santos de Cartier was the first wristwatches to become available for purchase. But the death of Louis Cartier ended the brand’s golden age. The three disunited branches in New York, London, and Paris negatively affect the success of Cartier. It was only saved in 1976 when the Must de Cartier was launched under the Cartier Monde corporate group. Since then, the brand continued its success by producing not just luxury watches but bracelets, rings, fragrances that mark the French culture and living.

Famous Patrons of Cartier

Apart from the royal family, particularly Duchess Kate Middleton, who loves her Ballon Bleu de Cartier — Cartier is also a go-to brand of watches and other jewelry by influential people across the world. Icons like Audrey Hepburn owned a Cartier Tank and designer Yves Saint Laurent collected the same models, too. Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise was also spotted wearing a Santos de Cartier, while Kris Jenner got the Ballon Bleu de Cartier.

Cartier Watches: Adored by Generations of Watch Lovers

Cartier watches have always been adored by countless people in the world, both by watch enthusiasts and the fashion-forward elite. This is probably because of how consistent the brand is in satisfying its clients through its values and aesthetics, from the purity of the line, accuracy of the movement, precision of proportions, and precious details. Thus, the brand’s worth and credibility have been upheld over time.