Cartier

Louis-François Cartier founded the company in 1847 when he took over his master Adolphe Picard's jewelry workshop on Rue Montorgueil in Paris. His son Alfred expanded the business, relocating to the prestigious Rue de la Paix in 1899. Alfred's three sons—Louis, Pierre, and Jacques—transformed Cartier into an international brand, establishing boutiques in London (1902) and New York (1909). Louis Cartier revolutionized watchmaking in 1904 by creating the Santos wristwatch for his friend, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed to check time while flying. In 1917, Louis designed the Tank watch, inspired by the geometric forms of Renault tanks on the Western Front. The company remained under family control until 1964. After passing through various investors, Cartier was acquired by Vendôme Luxury Group in 1993, which was subsequently absorbed by Richemont in 1998.