The 177-year history behind Cartier, the iconic jewelry brand that's a favorite of the royals and worth $12 billion

Gabbi ShawMar 25, 2024, 14:57 IST

Meghan Markle is frequently spotted wearing a Tank Française watch, seen here.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Cartier is one of the most famous jewelry houses in the world.
A Cartier watch can cost up to $300,000.

Since Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847, it has become one of the best-known and well-regarded jewelry and watch brands in the world.

According to Forbes, the brand was valued at $12.2 billion in 2020, up from $7.8 billion in 2017, under the stewardship of CEO Cyrille Vigneron.

A Cartier timepiece, bracelet, necklace, or ring is an automatic sign of quiet luxury, as most items are priced in the thousands … or even hundreds of thousands.

Cartier is also a favorite of royals, celebrities, and business power players alike.

Here's how the brand became the powerhouse it is today.

Cartier is one of the world's best-known jewelry brands, accessorizing celebrities and the uber-wealthy for events like the Oscars and Met Gala.

Lily Collins attends the 2019 Met Gala.Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty Images

The company was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier.

Cartier's flagship store on Old Bond Street.Joseph Okpako/Getty Images

In the 1850s, Louis-François opened two more locations in more upscale neighborhoods, attracting the attention of Princess Mathilde and Empress Eugénie of France.

Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie.Heritage Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images

In the 1850s, Louis-François opened two more locations in more upscale neighborhoods, attracting the attention of Princess Mathilde and Empress Eugénie of France.

One of Louis-François' sons, Alfred, entered the business in 1874. Together, they helped spread the brand even more.

Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, wearing her Cartier emerald engagement ring and a sapphire-and-diamond bracelet.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

But it was Alfred's sons, Louis-François' grandsons, Louis, Pierre (seen here), and Jacques, who took Cartier to the next level.

Pierre Cartier, president of the jewelery company Cartier.Bettmann/Getty Images

Each brother had their own location to manage. Louis stayed in Paris, Pierre moved to New York, and Jacques went to London.

Cartier in Paris.Roger Viollet/Getty Images

Louis designed the "mystery clock," which is still one of Cartier's best-known designs. He also designed the Santos watch, Cartier's first men's wristwatch.

Usher wearing the Santos 100 watch from Cartier.Ben Rose/WireImage/Getty Images

Louis was also behind another of Cartier's iconic designs: the Tank watch. It was introduced in 1917 and has been worn by some of the most famous people in history.

Watches are displayed at the launch party for the Cartier Tank Anglaise Watch Collection.Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

Another of Cartier's iconic designs under Louis' tenure is the Bismarck Sapphire Necklace, which was made in 1935.

Bismarck Sapphire NecklaceChip Clark/Smithsonian Institute

Meanwhile, in New York, Pierre came into possession of the Hope Diamond. He sold it to a prominent DC family after a long negotiation in 1911 for $300,000 (over $9 million today).

circa 1915: Mrs Evalyn Walsh McLean, one of the owners of the famous Hope diamond.Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Meanwhile, in New York, Pierre came into possession of the Hope Diamond. He sold it to a prominent DC family after a long negotiation in 1911 for $300,000 (over $9 million today).

Soon after, Pierre acquired 653 Fifth Avenue in 1917. To this day, the building is known as the Cartier Building and houses the brand's flagship.

Flags fly from the Cartier Building on Fifth Avenue in New York City, now known as the Cartier Building.Robert Alexander/Getty Images

Meanwhile, in London, Jacques moved Cartier's UK flagship to Bond Street, where it also remains to this day.

The exterior view of the Cartier store in New Bond Street in London.John Wreford/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Under Jacques' control in the UK, Cartier developed a close relationship with the Windsors, which still exists today.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends an Invictus Games wearing Cartier jewels.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II wore the diamond Hyderabad necklace in her first official portrait.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing a necklace given to her by Nizam of Hyderabad.Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Princess Diana was a fan of the Tank watch.

The Princess of Wales wearing a Tank watch.Julian Parker/UK Press/Getty Images

Kate Middleton borrowed the Queen's Halo tiara on her wedding day, which Jacques had designed 75 years prior.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge travels down The Mall on route to Buckingham Palace.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Pierre died in 1964. The three Cartier children in charge — his daughter Marion and his nephews Jean-Jacques and Claude — sold each branch of the business to a parent company.

Nathalie Hocq in 1970.Laurent MAOUS/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Pierre died in 1964. The three Cartier children in charge — his daughter Marion and his nephews Jean-Jacques and Claude — sold each branch of the business to a parent company.

Even after the brand was taken out of family control, it was still trendsetting. The Love bracelet, designed by Aldo Cipullo, debuted in 1969.

A Love bracelet.Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Cartier remains iconic to this day — a true luxury symbol. The brand rakes in $6 billion annually and is valued at $12 billion.

General view of the illuminated Cartier store on the Champs Elysees.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

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The 177-year history behind Cartier, the iconic jewelry brand that's a favorite of the royals and worth $12 billion

Cartier is one of the world's best-known jewelry brands, accessorizing celebrities and the uber-wealthy for events like the Oscars and Met Gala.

The company was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier.

In the 1850s, Louis-François opened two more locations in more upscale neighborhoods, attracting the attention of Princess Mathilde and Empress Eugénie of France.

One of Louis-François' sons, Alfred, entered the business in 1874. Together, they helped spread the brand even more.

But it was Alfred's sons, Louis-François' grandsons, Louis, Pierre (seen here), and Jacques, who took Cartier to the next level.

Each brother had their own location to manage. Louis stayed in Paris, Pierre moved to New York, and Jacques went to London.

Louis designed the "mystery clock," which is still one of Cartier's best-known designs. He also designed the Santos watch, Cartier's first men's wristwatch.

Louis was also behind another of Cartier's iconic designs: the Tank watch. It was introduced in 1917 and has been worn by some of the most famous people in history.

Another of Cartier's iconic designs under Louis' tenure is the Bismarck Sapphire Necklace, which was made in 1935.

Meanwhile, in New York, Pierre came into possession of the Hope Diamond. He sold it to a prominent DC family after a long negotiation in 1911 for $300,000 (over $9 million today).

Soon after, Pierre acquired 653 Fifth Avenue in 1917. To this day, the building is known as the Cartier Building and houses the brand's flagship.

Meanwhile, in London, Jacques moved Cartier's UK flagship to Bond Street, where it also remains to this day.

Under Jacques' control in the UK, Cartier developed a close relationship with the Windsors, which still exists today.

Queen Elizabeth II wore the diamond Hyderabad necklace in her first official portrait.

Princess Diana was a fan of the Tank watch.

Kate Middleton borrowed the Queen's Halo tiara on her wedding day, which Jacques had designed 75 years prior.

Pierre died in 1964. The three Cartier children in charge — his daughter Marion and his nephews Jean-Jacques and Claude — sold each branch of the business to a parent company.

Even after the brand was taken out of family control, it was still trendsetting. The Love bracelet, designed by Aldo Cipullo, debuted in 1969.

Cartier remains iconic to this day — a true luxury symbol. The brand rakes in $6 billion annually and is valued at $12 billion.