Cartier
Richemont · France
Cartier is a Paris jewellery and watch house founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier and owned by the Swiss luxury group Richemont. Known for the Tank and Santos watches and the Love bracelet, it is one of the most valuable jewellery brands in the world and Richemont's largest maison.
| Founded | 1847, Paris |
|---|---|
| Founder | Louis-François Cartier |
| Owner | Richemont |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| President and CEO | Louis Ferla (since 2024) |
| Stores | 273 (Richemont) |
| Website | cartier.com |
What is Cartier?
Cartier is a French luxury house that designs and sells high jewellery, jewellery, watches, fragrances, leather goods and eyewear. It is headquartered in Paris and belongs to Richemont, the Swiss group whose Jewellery Maisons also include Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati and Vhernier. Louis Ferla is president and chief executive, having succeeded Cyrille Vigneron in 2024.
History
Louis-François Cartier founded the business in Paris in 1847 by taking over the workshop of Adolphe Picard. Under his grandsons the house became a jeweller to European royalty and expanded internationally: it received a British royal warrant in 1904, opened in New York in 1909 and moved to 653 Fifth Avenue in 1917. The Santos watch, created for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, dates from 1904, and the Tank followed in 1919.
The family sold the businesses in the 1960s. In the 1970s an investor group led by Robert Hocq reunited the Paris, London and New York houses and launched the Les Must de Cartier diffusion line. The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain was created in 1984. Cartier later became part of the Vendôme Luxury Group and is today a maison of Richemont.
Products and positioning
Cartier operates at the top of the luxury market. Its best-known creations include:
- The Tank, Santos de Cartier and Ballon Bleu watches
- The Love bracelet (1969) and Juste un Clou
- The Trinity ring and Panthère de Cartier designs
- High jewellery collections and historic pieces such as mystery clocks
Business model and distribution
Cartier sells mainly through its own boutiques, which Richemont puts at 273 stores, including historic flagships in Paris, London and New York. It also uses its own e-commerce and selected watch retail partners. Richemont does not publish separate revenue figures for the maison.
Why it matters
Cartier is a reference point for the whole jewellery and watch sector. Its icons have stayed in production for decades, giving it a catalogue of evergreen products that few rivals can match, and its performance is closely watched as an indicator for demand in branded jewellery, the luxury category that has grown fastest in recent years.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Cartier?
Cartier is owned by Richemont, the Swiss luxury group listed in Zurich. It is the largest of Richemont's Jewellery Maisons, alongside Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati and Vhernier.
Is Cartier a French brand?
Yes. Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 and is still headquartered there, although its parent company Richemont is Swiss.