The new Cartier Captive Watch has surely captivated our attention. It will be unveiled at SIHH 2010 and it looks like the privileged attendance will be sure to seek it out. Captive de Cartier, large model, rhodium-plated white gold, diamond-paved dial. Cartier introduces its new model “Captive” to be discovered at the SIHH 2010.

Unlike BaselWorld which is the oldest and most prestigious watch show, SIHH is more exclusive. Reserved for only the most prized authorized dealers, an exclusive invitation is required to attend. Just like the guest list is short so are the companies that have “booths”. Generally they are only the most powerful and influential Swiss watch companies. While at BaselWorld 2009 a few large Swiss watch companies were absent, at SIHH they aren’t.

The Technical Details of this Cartier Watch
Case: 18 carat rhodium-plated white gold – Diameter: 35 mm
Bezel: set with round diamonds
Dial: set with round diamonds
Crystal: sapphire
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: light gray brushed canvas
Folding clasp: adjustable, in 18 carat rhodium-plated white gold
Movement: quartz
Total diamonds: 3 carats.

The case is done in an ADLC: Amorphous Diamond-Like Carbon coating, long used in the aerospace and defense industries for hardening surfaces. and also features 18kt rose gold. The crystal is sapphire and it is water resistant to 100 meters.

Movement is the automatic Cartier caliber 8630 with chronograph complication.

On June 11th, Cartier celebrates Love Day which symbolizes there commitment to charities worldwide. On Thursday when someone purchases an item, 10% of that items will be donated to charity. A person can select from 20 charity’s.

VIP’s from Demi Moore, Kate Hudson, Justin Timberlake to Russell Simmons converged on Cartier’s Fifth Avenue Mansion in New York City Thursday night, to celebrate the jewellery icon’s 100th anniversary in the U.S. and to support charity.

To mark the anniversary, Cartier hosted a star-studded party in honour of fashion photographer Bruce Weber and his new book, ‘Cartier, I Love You: Celebrating 100 Years of Cartier in America.’

The evening was also a nod to Service Nation a coalition of 190 non-profit organizations that seeks to expand opportunities for Americans to serve at every life-stage in the hopes of making service a core element of our culture.

A portion of the proceeds of the Bruce Weber book will go to ServiceNation.

One party attendee, Demi Moore, also spoke at a press conference earlier in the day, announcing the Cartier, Weber, ServiceNation partnership.

“I look at the combination of taking a group like ServiceNation that is, I believe, really trying to make a change and create a new culture of service,” Moore said. “And by bringing it together with Cartier, which clearly has, at its 100th year an incredible, lasting legacy and to bring these two people together for this to create an awareness for something profound as giving back to one another, really I feel honoured to be here.”

Many celebrities displayed their Cartier bling.

When actress Kate Hudson was asked what Cartier means to her, she pulled on her diamond necklace and responded, “This.”

Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz were also showing off their Cartier diamonds (even if some were just on loan).

But they also commended the jewellery icon for its charitable ways.

Mendes said, “But it’s not so much just for the jewels, it’s because Cartier has a heart. They’ve really helped me with my charity Art of Elysium. They continue to give and support to all different kinds of charities and charitable organizations.”

Weisz added, “I have a big bunch of Cartier bangles with many, many diamonds and then this is my Cartier love bracelet is for my charity, The Constant Gardner Trust, (named after the film, “The Constant Gardner,” which she starred in, and was filmed in Kenya).”And a fraction of proceeds of the sale of this goes to the trust and we have a school in northern Kenya,” Weisz said. “So people buying this bracelet, they’re educating kids in northern Kenya who wouldn’t be able to go to school, so it’s a beautiful thing Cartier is doing.”

The honouree, Weber, echoed their sentiments. “Cartier has always been very involved in a lot of different charities and a lot of different supports for the art,” Weber said.” “So I think that ServiceNation is a good place because it does so many different, different charities and really helps so many different kinds of people in need.”

Cartier is also marking its 100th American birthday by launching an exhibition that will display 100 one-of-a-kind Cartier Collection creations that will be showcased alongside pieces loaned from private collections. It will be on display at the Cartier Fifth Avenue Mansion through May 21st and then moves on to Beverly Hills.

The case is done in 18kt yellow gold and adorned with diamonds, emeralds and mother-of-pearl. For those that like Indian history this is your watch. I like these Cartier watches as well.

When Alfred Cartier, the son of a goldsmith, started managing the production of jewelry, his three sons, Pierre, Jacques and Louis Francois Cartier were the ones to help the family business expand. They eventually turned the Cartier brand into the most known name in the world of jewelry and watchmaking.

Louis Francois, who had the same name as his grandfather, joined the family business in 1899. His abilities as a businessman later helped in making Cartier a famous brand worldwide. The expansion continued with the opening of the Cartier London store in 1902 and the New York store in 1909.

In 1910 the Cartier family opened two new stores, in Moscow and the Persian Gulf. However, the success of the New York store helped Cartier to receive world recognition. Between the two World Wars, Cartier was able to open stores in Cannes and Monte Carlo. Later the expansion continued with the opening of new shops in Hong Kong, Munich and Geneva.

In 1912 Cartier introduced the Baignoire and Tortue, which are two models still in production today. 1917 saw the debut of the Tank.

It was also during this period that Cartier began adding its own reference numbers to the watches it sold, usually by stamping a four-digit code on the underside of a lug. In fact, many collectors refuse to accept a Cartier as an original unless these numbers are present.

Louis Cartier died in 1942. In 1945 his brother Pierre took over the family business and became the president of Cartier International. Later Cartier International turned into a huge multinational organization. In 1972 its president, Robert Hocq, took over the branches of Cartier in London and New York, and re-established the prestige of Cartier. Today Cartier watches have the movements of such famous Swiss watchmaking companies as: Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Movado and Le Coultre.

However Cartier also makes Gold Cufflinks

The Cariter Ballon Bleau comes as the Grand Modele at 42mm, the Medium Modele at 36mm and the Petit Modele at 28mm. It has a very interesting attribute! The crown is protected so you cannot damage it by pulling it too far!

The case is available in 18kt white or yellow gold, or in stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold. All feature a blue cabochon crown.

Movement is the automatic Cartier caliber 049. It is water resistant to 30 meters. Crystals are sapphire. The ladies models are available with diamonds on the bezel and dial.

Still waiting to hear about the Movado’s

Cartier has added a gold automatic chronograph to its Seatimer collection.

The case, in 18kt yellow gold, measures 42.5mm and has a sapphire crystal and sapphire display back. The bezel has a ceramic insert as does the gold bracelet. The pushers and crown are finished with black cabochons.

Movement is the automatic Cartier caliber 8630. It is water resistant to 100 meters.

The most important steps in Cartier’s family business were made by several generations: Louis Francois Cartier, his son Alfred Cartier and three grandsons – Pierre, Jacque and Louis Francois. Louis Cartier (1875-1942), the son of Alfred Cartier, was passionate about mechanical pocket watches and had the goal of creating Cartier’s own line of timepieces. Although Patek Phillipe created the first wristwatch in 1868, Louis Cartier is responsible for helping to popularize it over the traditional pocket watch.

In 1904, his famous brazilian friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont, early pioneer of aviation, asked Cartier to design a watch that could be useful during his flights. Since pocket watches were not suitable, Louis Cartier created “Santos” wristwatch, which was also the first wristwatch made for men. However, “Santos” went into sale only in 1911. This is how Cartier established its first production of wristwatches. In Rue de la Paix he designed timepieces with the help of Edmond Jaeger who agreed to supply Cartier’s watch line with movements.

Business Expansion

When Alfred Cartier, the son of a goldsmith started managing the production of jewelry his three sons, Pierre, Jacque and Louis Francois Cartier were the ones to help the family business expand. They eventually turned Cartier brand into the most known name in the world of jewelry and watchmaking.

Louis Francois, who had the same name as his grandfather, joined the family business in 1899. His abilities as a businessman later helped in making Cartier a famous brand worldwide. The expansion continued with the opening of Cartier London store in 1902 and New York store in 1909.

Cartier watch

In 1910 Cartier family business opened two new stores in Moscow and Persian Gulf. But the success of the New York store helped Cartier in receiving world recognition. Between the two World Wars, Cartier was able to open stores in Cannes and Monte Carlo. Later the expansion continued with the opening of new shops in Hong Kong, Munich and Geneva.

In 1912 Cartier introduced the Baignoire and Tortue which are two models still in production today. Then, 1917 followed the debut of the Tank.

It was also during this period that Cartier began adding its own reference numbers to the watches it sold, usually by stamping a four-digit code on the underside of a lug. In fact, many collectors refuse to accept a Cartier as original unless these numbers are present.

Louis Cartier passed away in 1942. In 1945 his brother Pierre took over the family business and became the president of Cartier International. Later Cartier International turned into a huge multinational organization. In 1972 its president was named Robert Hocq. He took over the branches of Cartier in London and New York and re-established the prestige of Cartier. Today Cartier watches have the movements of such famous Swiss watchmaking companies like: Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Movado and Le Coultre.

Cartier watch models

Throughout its history the company designed such models like: Tonneau in 1906, Tortue in 1912 and Tank in 1910. After the death of Louis Francois and change in the management of the company, Cartier went on by producing Baignoire in 1957, Panthère in 1983, Pasha de Cartier in 1985 as well as Tank Française in 1996 and Cartier’s Privée Collection. Today the company creates watches with some classical Cartier designs. Among the most famous revived classical watches there are Roadster, Santos 100 and Pasha.