Cartier Watches

The Cartier Santos is one of the first wristwatches ever made, born out of a need for function during flight. In 1904, Louis Cartier created it for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont so he could easily read the time midair. At the time, wristwatches were almost unheard of for men. The Santos featured a bold square case and exposed screws, a design that defied convention and later became an icon. Through the decades, the Santos has evolved with the times while retaining its core features. The modern Cartier Santos is offered in automatic and quartz versions, with steel, gold, or two-tone cases. Its bracelet includes a seamless resizing system and optional leather strap. What started as a pilot’s necessity became a symbol of style and luxury, bridging the gap between heritage watchmaking and forward-thinking design. The Cartier Santos is as innovative today as it was over a century ago.

Few watches carry the historical weight and aesthetic influence of the Cartier Tank. Born in 1917, its form was modeled after the top view of a World War I Renault tank. Rather than modify a pocket watch for the wrist, Louis Cartier created a modern wristwatch from scratch, complete with geometric symmetry, stylized Roman numerals, and a sapphire-set crown. By 1919, the Tank was in serial production, and it quickly became a favorite among creative minds and political elites. Worn by everyone from General Pershing to Rudolph Valentino and Jackie Kennedy, the Cartier Tank watch has remained culturally relevant for over a century. The Tank family now includes numerous sub-models like the Tank Française, Américaine, Must, and Louis Cartier, each with subtle variations in case shape, movement, and design. With its timeless profile and unique heritage, the Cartier Tank continues to define what a luxury dress watch should be.

Cartier introduced the Panthère watch in 1983, combining jewelry design and watchmaking into one elegant piece. Named for its fluid, feline-inspired bracelet, the Panthère became an instant hit thanks to its soft square case, Roman numerals, and polished link design. Cartier’s goal was to create a timepiece that wore like fine jewelry, and the Panthère delivered. Discontinued in 2004 and relaunched in 2017, the watch now lives on in both vintage and modern forms. Sizes range from mini to medium, with steel, gold, and two-tone versions available. Its quartz movement ensures slimness and reliability. While it shares similarities with the Santos, the Panthère is noticeably dressier. Over the years, it’s been worn by celebrities like Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, cementing its status as a timeless symbol of glamour. For those exploring Cartier watches for the first time, the Panthère is an ideal place to start.

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