Cartier

Is world famous for its bespoke jewellery and watches which it designs, makes and sells. One claim to fame is that it ‘invented’ the first practical male wristwatch at the behest of the Brazilian pioneer aviator, who complained that the pocketwatch was impractical whilst flying. The ‘Santos’ watch was born and featured the now famous flat wristwatch with its distinctive square bezel.

The house has made jewellery and other find objects for a wide range of royalty and celebrities and King Edward VII referred to it as the ‘jeweller for kings, and the king of jewellers”. He gave them a royal warrant in 1904 and over the years they have received other warrants from the royal courts of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Belgium, Romania, Serbia, Egypt, Albania and Monaco amongst others.

With more than 200 shops in 125 countries, they continue to operate, now owned by the Rupert family from South Africa and Elle Pagels the granddaughter of Pierre Cartier.