Designer Spotlight: Cartier

Spotted on the wrists of celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Kate Middleton, and Jake Gyllenhal, Cartier is one of today’s most celebrated brands of timepieces. This French designer is legendary for high-quality jewelry and timepieces that push the boundaries of fashion. They are a royal favorite, once referred to as “the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers” by King Edward VII of Great Britain. Here at Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, we are proud to play a part in this iconic brand’s story of excellence with a fantastic selection of their delightful watches in our showroom.

History of Beauty

Cartier was founded in Paris by Louis-François Cartier in 1847. While its founder’s aptitude for fine jewelry was well-known, it was not until his son Alfred took over that Cartier became a household name. Alfred and his sons worked together to create innovative timepieces like mystery clocks and fashionable wristwatches. Cartier would eventually have stores in New York, London, and St. Petersburg.

Louis-François Cartier’s great-grandchildren sold the business in 1964. Today, Cartier may not be operated by its founding family, but it still retains its reputation for luxury and quality. One would be hard-pressed to find someone that hasn’t heard of Cartier and its iconic collections.

The Tank

One of Cartier’s most important contributions to horology is the tank case. Inspired by the Renault tanks of WWI, these watch cases have a slender rectangular shape. Unlike other rectangular cases, two of its edges are hidden underneath the strap. These cases are truly elegant and sophisticated, making them exceptional dress watches.

The Tank Américaine is one of the most celebrated collections sporting this shape. This piece is an exquisite example of the style with its 18k pink gold case that exudes warmth and beauty while featuring a classy roman numeral dial. This paired with the brown alligator leather strap creates a luxurious look.

The Ballon Bleu

Another signature Cartier detail is the ballon bleu. In this collection, every watch has an enchanting lone sapphire on the crown. Isolated from the watch, it is a unique design element that can only be found with Cartier.

This 18k rose gold and diamond watch has the marvelous ballon bleu detail as well as a line of dazzling diamonds on the bezel. Clad in glamorous pure gold, the spectacle it creates is unparalleled. The eccentric placement of the indices on the dial is unorthodox.

The Ronde Solo

Cartier also excels at creating classic, versatile timepieces that suit every style. The Ronde Solo showcases the timeless round-shaped case with a level of quality only achievable by this famous French brand. Each is a masterpiece suited for every outfit, especially formalwear.

This stainless steel watch has an attractive polished bezel and a gorgeous sapphire blue crown. With both Roman and Arabic numerals, it has a stately but easily legible dial.

Find Cartier at Hing Wa Lee Jewelers

As an authorized Cartier retailer, Hing Wa Lee Jewelers is one of the few jewelers reputable enough to offer accessories from this legendary brand. Our San Gabriel and Walnut showrooms in California are staffed with highly trained experts, ever prepared to guide you through the process of finding the ultimate timepiece. Reserve an appointment with one of our team members for a personalized Cartier experience. Call our San Gabriel store at (626) 456-2222 and our Walnut showroom at (909) 831-8888.