Reading about how the business of Cartier began, I discovered that it was not an original business, meaning the Cartier family started their own establishment. Indeed, Louis Francois Cartier, grandfather to Louis Cartier, took over a jewelry making business from a gentleman by the name of Adolphe Picard, who he was an apprentice for prior to Picard's death. Better still; the training was for becoming a goldsmith. In 1847, Cartier was now a family business that was not even in Paris at the time. If it were not for the friendship of a Princess Mathilde, a cousin to Napolean III, the move into Paris would not have occurred. Here is where the real history of Louis Cartier, the watchmaker begins.
Alfred Cartier, father to Louis and his two brothers, Jaques and Pierre, took over the business from his father in 1874. Louis was an excellent businessman who used his skills with his knowledge and abilities in jewelry and watchmaking to further business growth and expansion. Stores would eventually be opened in Moscow, London, and New York.
Louis had swagger and a way with using his looks and intelligence to get him places. Royalty from the European nations, Sam, Nepal, and India held him in high regard. Apparently, the women in these nations, and especially from Paris, more or less gravitated to him; a real charmer. At any rate, he was able to establish very important business relationships that diametrically separated him from any other jeweler or watchmaker worldwide.
Alberto Santos-Dumont needed a watch that worked more accurately and was not so cumbersome for an aviator to view or use. This turned out to be the impetus for what we now know as the wrist watch. With reference to the famous watches, the Baignoire and Tortue were introduced in 1912 followed by the Tank. Some of these are still in production even today. In 1932, a water tight watch was created for the Pasha of Marrakesh.
The intelligent design and advancements continued until the death of Louis Cartier in 1942. For approximately 30 years hence, stagnant growth and lack of vision stalled the once great watchmaking company. It was not until Alain Perrin was named CEO in 1972 that the Cartier business would once again make huge strides in becoming highly successful and regain its status among those who buy and sell watches.
From high end to the modesty of a more affordable watch, Cartier would re-establish its place among watch enthusiasts and investors. Louis Cartier could stand today with pride and satisfaction knowing that his efforts and skills are what created a foundation by which his company rests upon today.
Alfred Cartier, father to Louis and his two brothers, Jaques and Pierre, took over the business from his father in 1874. Louis was an excellent businessman who used his skills with his knowledge and abilities in jewelry and watchmaking to further business growth and expansion. Stores would eventually be opened in Moscow, London, and New York.
Louis had swagger and a way with using his looks and intelligence to get him places. Royalty from the European nations, Sam, Nepal, and India held him in high regard. Apparently, the women in these nations, and especially from Paris, more or less gravitated to him; a real charmer. At any rate, he was able to establish very important business relationships that diametrically separated him from any other jeweler or watchmaker worldwide.
Alberto Santos-Dumont needed a watch that worked more accurately and was not so cumbersome for an aviator to view or use. This turned out to be the impetus for what we now know as the wrist watch. With reference to the famous watches, the Baignoire and Tortue were introduced in 1912 followed by the Tank. Some of these are still in production even today. In 1932, a water tight watch was created for the Pasha of Marrakesh.
The intelligent design and advancements continued until the death of Louis Cartier in 1942. For approximately 30 years hence, stagnant growth and lack of vision stalled the once great watchmaking company. It was not until Alain Perrin was named CEO in 1972 that the Cartier business would once again make huge strides in becoming highly successful and regain its status among those who buy and sell watches.
From high end to the modesty of a more affordable watch, Cartier would re-establish its place among watch enthusiasts and investors. Louis Cartier could stand today with pride and satisfaction knowing that his efforts and skills are what created a foundation by which his company rests upon today.
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