Complete Guide to Collecting Cartier Bracelets
Learn more about advantages of the secondary market for growing your Cartier bracelet collection.
Brief History of Cartier
Cartier was founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier and opened its first boutique in 1859. With a roster of visionary designers such as Charles Jacqueau, Pierre Lemarch and and enigmatic creative director Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s designs articulated a wide range of influences into highly original and elegant jewelry that defined their eras.
In 1993, Cartier was merged with other brands, creating the Vendome Luxury Group. The Vendome Luxury Group became Richemont now owns 19 luxury brands including Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati. Cartier is one of the most popular luxury jewelry designer brands with over 5M google searches per month. In 2023, Sotheby's sold nearly $30 million in Cartier jewelry with prices ranging from $5,000 to over $2.8 million. "Signed jewels by the legendary maisons (including Cartier) continued to dazzle, as connoisseurs hunted particularly for iconic, vintage jewels that represented the best the great houses had to offer." Quig Bruning, SVP Head of Jewelry, Americas & EMEA. Cartier is one of the most sought after luxury jewelry brands on the secondary market for its iconic and timeless designs and quality craftsmanship.
Most Collectible Cartier Bracelets
Cartier has created a number of iconic bracelet designs that are highly collectible. Read on to learn about the four most popular Cartier bracelet designs with new and seasoned collectors at Sotheby's.
1. Cartier Love Bracelet
Launched in 1969, the Cartier Love collection was created by Italian jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo. Inspired by the idea of everlasting love, Cipullo's design featured a unique locking mechanism, symbolizing a bond that could only be opened with a special screwdriver, emphasizing the concept of commitment. This innovative approach to jewelry design was admired for its simplicity and symbolic meaning. The Cartier Love bracelet was inspired by the medieval chastity belt, invented to protect a woman's “purity” in the 16th and 17th centuries. Brought into modern days, the Cartier Love bracelet is the ultimate symbol of love and fidelity. Known as a “Love Child of 70s New York”, Cartier recognized the collection as a symbol of free-spirited love and true permanence when it was first launched. Today the Cartier Love bracelet is one of the most popular and most recognized bracelets. Many Cartier collections start with a Cartier Love bracelet and many collectors like to stack different Cartier Love bracelets together.
2. Cartier Panthère Bracelet
The Panthère de Cartier motif was first introduced in 1914 and remains one of the most iconic symbols synonymous with the luxury brand. Cartier's earliest connection to the panther was an advertisement in 1913 called Dame à la Panthère featuring an elegant model and a sleek black cat. According to some, Louis Cartier chose the panther in tribute to Jeanne Toussaint, who he called his ‘Petite Pantheré (she also famously wore a full-length coat made of panther fur). The first Cartier Panthère jewelry piece was crafted for the Duchess of Windsor, Wallace Simpson in 1948. The Cartier Pantheré brooch was gold and enamel set with a cabochon emerald. The success of the first Cartier Pantheré ring set off a chain reaction with the creation of Cartier Pantheré bracelets, drop earrings and pendants which became hugely desirable among European and American elite. Modern and vintage Cartier Pantheré bracelets are among the most popular and collectible Cartier bracelets.
3. Cartier Tutti Frutti Bracelet
The Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelet was first introduced in 1925 and featured engraved sapphires, emeralds and rubies cut into plant like shapes. The design is a combination of French design and Indian royalty. Jacques Cartier traveled to India in 1911 to witness the coronation of King George as Emperor. This trip would introduce Cartier to the stone carving techniques of Indian jewelry. The colorful carved stones was a departure from the white diamond garlands and bow designs and geometric Art Deco jewelry of the 1920s. Vintage Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelets often top the most expensive bracelets to sell at auction due to each design combining hand carved colored gem stones. Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelets are among the rarest and sought after Cartier bracelets by collectors. Cartier Tutti Frutti jewelry remains a core High Jewelry collection since it has been emblematic for Cartier for a century. Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelets often sell for over $1 million depending on the design, size and number of carved colored stones and diamonds.
4. Cartier Diamond Art Deco Bracelet
No Cartier bracelet collection is complete without an elegant Cartier Art Deco bracelet from the 1920s and 1930s. These Cartier platinum and diamond bracelets featuring clean lines, symmetric patterns and bold architectural designs are timeless. The Art Deco period was a time of both cultural and technological change that is also known for its glamorous jewelry from luxury brands like Cartier. While Cartier Art Deco diamond bracelets often exceed $100,000, it is possible to find a more delicate design for closer to $50,000.
Advantages to Collecting Cartier Bracelets on the Secondary Market
There are many advantages to buying Cartier bracelets at Sotheby's. As one of the largest and most established global luxury secondary markets, Sotheby's offers clients many unique advantages when growing a Cartier bracelet collection.
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to some of the most exceptional Cartier bracelets through its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is one of the few global luxury marketplaces that sells rare and impressive High Jewelry Cartier bracelets exceeding $100,000 in addition to collectible Panthere, unique Tutti Frutti and timeless Art Deco Cartier bracelets. Our Jewelry specialists are always sourcing the best luxury jewelry from top brands including Cartier. Sotheby's global presence also means we are sourcing a wide range of Cartier bracelet designs including timeless classics, special vintage finds and one of a kind custom creations. Sotheby's also regularly sells incredible private collections that can include custom designed Cartier bracelets that feature the most desirable diamonds and colored gem stones. If you are looking to build a collection of Cartier bracelets, Sotheby's provides access to contemporary, vintage and one of a kind rare Cartier bracelets.
2. Flexibility
Since Sotheby's sells other top brands and high quality unbranded luxury jewelry, we can also provide greater flexibility when looking for a special diamond or gem stone bracelet. Sotheby's jewelry experts can help you compare a Cartier bracelet with another brand and similar unbranded bracelet depending on your priorities. Flexibility at Sotheby's also includes multiple ways to purchase Cartier bracelets. While Sotheby's is most known for its global auctions, Sotheby's also sells Cartier online and also in salons in New York and Hong Kong. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Cartier bracelet that isn't available at auction or marketplace. Another advantage to Sotheby's is access to desirable Cartier bracelets that are normally special order. Sotheby's often has many desirable styles of Cartier bracelets available for immediate purchase. If you have a pending gifting occasion, waiting for a special order Cartier bracelet may be inconvenient.
3. Value
As a leading global secondary market, Sotheby's often provides great value for Cartier and other top luxury jewelry brands. While Sotheby's regularly sells high jewelry Cartier bracelets over $100,000, many of these Cartier bracelets sell for below the original retail price. While the condition of the Cartier bracelet is often pristine, the price in the secondary market can be 15-30% below the original retail price for desirable Cartier bracelet styles. For vintage and estate Cartier bracelets no longer in production, the secondary market prices can be as much as 45% off of retail replacement values. The discount varies depending on the bracelet design and quality and size of the diamond and gem stones and overall market conditions. Some Cartier bracelets can also sell at a premium to the original retail, especially for unique vintage or one of a kind designs, Cartier bracelets with provenance linked to celebrities and/or royalty and bracelets featuring exceptionally rare diamonds and colored gem stones. Sotheby's is a great place to start collecting Cartier bracelets since we also offer good value for iconic Love, Trinity and Juste un Clou. Sotheby's also provides seasoned collectors value for vintage and estate Cartier bracelets at prices that can be materially lower than retail replacement values.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury secondary market is discovering unique pieces from decades earlier and custom designed one of a kind items. Sotheby's curated selection is always changing since Cartier is one of the top brands at Sotheby's. Each auction has a unique selection of Cartier bracelets that may be familiar but a slight variation, never before seen design or a vintage treasure that has been on your wishlist for some time. Browse our latest auction or curated selection to get inspiration when building a collection of both contemporary and vintage Cartier bracelets. You are likely to discover something new to you from Cartier.
Buying and Selling Cartier Bracelets At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has rare and collectible Cartier bracelets available at auction including Panthere, Tutti Frutti and Art Deco bracelets. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of Cartier bracelets available for immediate purchase. If you would like to view a Cartier bracelet, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's is also able to source Cartier bracelets from its global supplier network. Cartier Love bracelets without diamonds are the most accessible Cartier bracelet style at around $6,000 while rate Cartier Tutti Frutti bracelets generally sell for over $100,000.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Contact a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling Cartier bracelets.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
