Rating and value of Cartier watches

If you own a Cartier watch and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value.

Then, if you want to sell your work, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price for it.

Their value can vary according to the material: gold jewelry is always highly prized, but original creations set with precious stones or diamonds are even more sought-after.

Rating and value of Cartier watches

Cartier watches are very popular items at auction. They are collected by bidders of all nationalities. Nowadays, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer.

The Panthère and Crash watches are particularly popular, with buyers from all over the world. The price at which they are selling on the art market ranges from €130 to €1,118,000, for the moment, a substantial difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these objects.

In 2021, an exceptional watch, Peau de panthère, in platinum, lacquer, diamonds and onyx sold for €331,000, originally estimated at €20,000 to €30,000. 

Order of value from a simple watch to the most sought-after

Style and technology of Cartier watches

Cartier, founded in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier, took its first steps in the watchmaking world at the beginning of the 20th century, designing watches for those who wished to combine function and elegance.

In 1904, visionary Louis Cartier designed the Santos model for his aviator friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, who was tired of impractical pocket watches in flight. This model, with its visible screws and square case, marked a turning point.

Both bold and sophisticated, the Santos watch establishes the idea that time can be worn proudly on the wrist, a revolutionary idea at the time.

The Tank, designed in 1917, was inspired by the tanks used during the First World War: its strict lines, rectangular dial and balanced proportions make it an instantly recognizable icon.

Over the years, Cartier has constantly reinvented its flagship models while retaining their pure, timeless design.

Cartier watches are built to last and often feature refined details - gold dials, high-quality leather straps, high-precision mechanisms - that appeal to watch lovers and collectors alike.

Worn by influential personalities, Cartier watches embody both an art of living and discreet luxury, where technical prowess and elegance meet without ever weighing each other down.

Reasons to auction a Cartier watch

To sell a Cartier watch at auction is above all to offer the public an exceptional object, a piece steeped in history and savoir-faire.

Cartier watches, with their iconic designs such as the Santos or Tank, attract the attention of collectors the world over. It is the prestige and rarity of these creations that give them a place of choice on the auction market.

At every auction, bidders seek out the timeless elegance and technical precision embodied by watches from this house founded in 1847, even more than Rolex, Boucheron or Van Cleef & Arpels.

Often associated with iconic personalities or defining moments, each Cartier watch features a piece of history, reinforcing its appeal and value.

Auctions also allow us to reach an international audience, ready to invest in these luxury pieces, whose value continues to increase over time.

For sellers, it's an opportunity to highlight an exceptional watchmaking heritage, where every detail, from the dial to the hands, tells the story of a quest for perfection, while guaranteeing substantial financial results.

The panther watch - haute horlogerie for women

The Cartier Tank

The Tank watch, created by Louis Cartier in 1917, embodies the innovative and daring spirit of the House of Cartier.

Inspired by the Renault tanks used at the front during the First World War, this model boasts a rectangular case with strict, clean lines, immediately recognizing the sense of geometry so dear to Cartier.

 When it was launched in 1919, the Tank was an immediate success, appealing to lovers of style and modernity.

Quickly adopted by iconic figures such as actress Greta Garbo and writer Truman Capote, it became a symbol of refinement and understated elegance.

Variations on the Tank, both the French Tank and the American Tank, testify to Cartier's ability to adapt this iconic model to the tastes of each era, while retaining its inimitable silhouette.

With its blued hands, dial adorned with Roman numerals and leather or metal bracelet, the Tank transcends fashion and remains, more than a century after its creation, one of the most prized and emblematic watches in haute horlogerie.  

The Cartier Panther

The Cartier Panthère watch, born in the 1980s, follows in the footsteps of the company's emblematic creations, inspired by the panther symbol dear to Jeanne Toussaint, visionary artistic director since 1933.

Designed for those in search of discreet elegance, the Panthère features a supple bracelet with perfectly articulated square links that hug the wrist like a second skin.

With its sleek design and feline silhouette, it quickly became an object of desire for celebrities and luxury lovers alike. Available in gold, steel and sometimes set with diamonds, each version embodies Cartier's signature refinement and timelessness.

La Panthère, a true wrist jewel, makes every moment an expression of elegance, blending audacity and sophistication with a rare simplicity, true to the Cartier spirit.

La Cartier Gondole

The Cartier Gondole watch, launched in the 1970s, embodies the subtle elegance and watchmaking expertise that mark Cartier's bold creativity.

Inspired by the soft, rounded lines of Venetian architecture, the Gondola is distinguished by its slightly cushioned case, an unprecedented silhouette for its time.

Designed to appeal to lovers of discreetly elegant watches, its uncluttered dial combines refined details such as Roman numerals, blued hands and a finely-worked leather strap.

This watch quickly became a symbol of distinction, prized for its timeless allure and sophisticated simplicity.

Available in precious versions and sometimes set with stones, the Gondole reflects Cartier's excellence in the art of sublimating time without ever sacrificing comfort or lightness. 

The Cartier crash

The Cartier Crash watch, born in 1967 in London, embodies the rebellious, avant-garde spirit of the House of Cartier.

Inspired by an accident that deformed the original watch, the Crash adopts an unstructured case with undulating, asymmetrical lines, defying the watchmaking conventions of the time.

This surprising, instantly recognizable model is an iconic, daring timepiece reserved for lovers of the exceptional and the rare.

Available in limited series, sometimes set with diamonds, the Crash retains Cartier's signature elements: Roman numerals, blued hands and impeccable finishing.

Both jewel and work of art, the Crash transcends fashion and captures attention with its resolutely unique allure, affirming the vision of offbeat, timeless luxury that only Cartier knows how to express.

La Cartier Vendôme

The Cartier Vendôme watch, which appeared in the 1970s, reflects the classic craftsmanship and attention to detail that define Cartier.

Inspired by the famous Place Vendôme, it features an elegant round case, a simple shape that embodies the very essence of luxury watchmaking. With its Roman numerals, blued hands and minimalist dial, the Vendôme combines sophistication and sobriety.

Its bracelet, often in leather or gold, hugs the wrist perfectly, adding a discreet touch of refinement. The watch quickly became a symbol of distinction, prized for its timeless shape that endures the ages without losing its lustre.

Available in various precious versions, the Vendôme remains true to the Cartier spirit, an art of elegance that blends tradition and modernity with finesse.

Recognizing an original Cartier watch

The counterfeit market is increasingly strong in manufacturing all kinds of dupes, including luxury timepieces. On online platforms, the resale of these items is steadily increasing, and many customers are being tricked.

That's why, even though there are techniques for recognizing genuine Cartier jewelry, such as looking at the signature (which can also be counterfeit), it's essential if you think you own a Cartier watch to have it appraised in order to date it and be sure of its authenticity.

Know the true value of your jewelry  

If you happen to own a Cartier watch, or think you might, please feel free to request a free appraisal using the form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your scarf, as well as any relevant information.

If you wish to sell your work of art, our specialists will also be on hand to help you sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.