- Cartier: 100 Years in America
- "Cartier...I Love You"
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The story of love, glamour, success, passion, and free spirit.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating Cartier's 100 years in America. It was one hundred years ago, that Pierre Cartier arrived in New York and opened his first boutique.
Still the flagship store today, 712 Fifth Ave designs and houses the epic pieces that have captured the passion and imagination of Americans throughout the years.
Whether it is a Love bracelet, a Hope diamond or a Tank watch, Cartier's pioneering sense of design is uniquely integrated into the American art and culture scene.
Everyone from New York socialites like Brooke Astor, to celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Hutton, and Jackie Kennedy, to Gary Cooper and Muhammad Ali all recognized and contributed to the success that Cartier in America enjoys today.
So explore the history on this site and discover a century of style with Cartier.
About Cartier
Set up in Paris in the mid 19th century, Cartier is today a light that shines the world over. Its history is one of unquestionable success, built upon the twin values of boldness and creativity. Cartier's jewellery and watch making creations have helped to fashion tastes and are distinctly recognisable both by their beauty and by the unique expertise demanded in their fabrication.
In 1847, Louis-François Cartier (1819-1904) took over the workshop of a master jeweller, located at 29 rue Montorgueil in Paris. This decision marked the founding of Cartier as a business.
In 1899, the firm moved to new premises at 13 rue de la Paix, a prestigious address that was considered to be at the epicentre of elegance and luxury on the cusp of the 20th century. The future of the business now lay in the hands of the three Cartier brothers: Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who quickly decided to embark upon a voyage of discovery, exploring India, Russia and America. In 1902, a branch of Cartier opened in London, followed by another in New York in 1909: the foundations of Cartier were now firmly established.
Cartier's creations seduced royal courts worldwide. The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, proclaimed Cartier as 'Jeweller of Kings for the King of Jewellers'. In 1904, the company received its first Royal Warrant as the official supplier to the English Court. This event heralded the arrival of a long series of Royal Warrants sent from the Courts of Spain, Portugal, Siam, Russia, Greece, Romania and Egypt.
The Cartier style then became more established, with creations inspired by ancient civilizations that reflected the open-mindedness and curiosity with which Cartier chose to define its aesthetic vocabulary.
The name Cartier encapsulates a plethora of ideas: collections of jewellery and luxury jewellery, arrays of exceptional watches, precious accessories, unrivalled expertise, audacity and creativity. Its history is constantly evolving, beyond borders and ephemeral fashion trends. Today, the legend of Cartier lives on in over 250 boutiques established in the most beautiful cities of the world.
The exhibitions of ancient pieces from the Cartier Collection in the world's most prestigious cultural institutions, together with the work of the Cartier Foundation for contemporary art, reveal Cartier's commitment to art and ensure that the company remains a modern and responsible business.