Cartier’s name is synonymous with opulence and success; however this luxury watchmaker fully expects to be less than successful in the coming year.  Sales in the Chinese and Asian markets are expected to fall and in order to counteract that decline in revenue, Cartier watches is rushing to open more designer boutiques in the United States and Middle Eastern countries like India and Iraq.

The CEO, Bernard Fornas won’t say how many stores he will open, but the move is clearly strategic and well thought out.  Currently, Cartier receives close to a quarter of their revenue from their China boutiques, but expect a substantial downturn in 2011 and beyond.  Diversifying is the only smart move in this chess game and Cartier knows it.  Besides, while the Shangai Composite Index is falling, business is booming in the Middle East.

These days many watchmakers are struggling…Movado, for example took the opposite approach; instead of opening additional boutiques in more sustainable areas, they opted to close almost all of their specialty boutiques in 2010.  That move paid off for them and hopefully this risk that Cartier is taking will keep them afloat during these tough economic days.  One thing is clear…only time will tell.

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Cartier Watches Draw High Profile Clientele

The impression that most resonates with us about Cartier watches is success and opulence.  I guess that’s why the watch brand has always been hugely popular among celebrities and royalty.  Females, in particular are very fond of Cartier. 

Their watches have been worn by everyone from Princess Diana to Angelina Jolie.  Even Jackie O and the current first lady have sported a Cartier watch.  The Tank is one of the most recognizable designs in history and it seems to never go out of style. 

Since 1917, when the Cartier Tank was released it has seen many transformations, yet each one is met with a smile.  This classically elegant timepiece is one that women of supreme taste adore.  The Tank has a streamlined shape and can be as simple or as ornate as you like. 

The Cartier watch is always owned by discriminating women.  It is a signature piece, much like a long strand of pearls or a Burberry trench coat.  I suppose that is why it is so loved.  With a piece like this, you become attached.  It becomes much more than a simple timekeeping instrument, it turns into a treasured amulet.

Choose a Cartier watch for the heritage, but remember the quality, as well.

Technorati Tags: Angelina Jolie, cartier, Jackie Onassis, Michelle Obama, princess diana, Watch Brands, women's

Cartier Shows The Love

The Cartier name has a way of evoking romance and passionate allure.  Their watch and jewelry creations are much desired, for their styling and delicate design.  With love in the air, Cartier is inspired to introduce their Love Collection.  The Cartier Love Collection is a line, of specially crafted pieces, which will be sold in all of their boutiques, for three days following Cartier’s Love Day Celebration.  This will be a worldwide campaign, and the proceeds will go toward charitable causes, which benefit children.  Cartier’s dedication to the arts, as well as humanitarian issues is commendable. 

The women’s Cartier Love Watch Collection is beautiful.  They come with bold round dials and slim leather straps.  The Love Collection is made up of timepieces, which have been crafted in 18 carat yellow gold, rose gold, and steel.  The look is modern and feminine.  The dials incorporate a new Screw motif, which is meant to symbolize the love between and man and a woman.  I love it when a Company, who has been so successful, for so long, gives back.  The pieces they produce have earned them a fabulous reputation, and their charitable spirit gains our respect.  Cartier is showing their heart, with their tribute to love.

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Cartier Santos 100, Big Bold, Brilliant

 We all recognize Cartier for their elegant designs and timeless features.  Some of the newer Cartier watches, especially in the men’s collections, take a bit of a different approach.  The delicate styles are replaced with some more adventurous interpretations.  One such men’s watch is the Santos 100 Carbon by Cartier.  This large model men’s timepiece is strong, made from materials like stainless-steel and Titanium.  The steel casing is in a satin finish and coated with ADLC.  ADLC coating increases thickness, thereby cutting down on wear and tear, and it acts as a barrier to corrosive elements…sand, saltwater, and acids.  This watch has a black, square-shaped dial, with Roman numerals, covered by a sapphire crystal.  The steel arms and hands are covered in a phosphorescent material.  The Santos 100 comes with a thick black fabric strap.  This unusual design by Cartier was created to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the iconic Santos watches.  The W2020010 Santos 100 men’s watch has some of the classic Cartier styling, but the diverse materials used, and its unusually substantial size give it an edge.  This fantastic Cartier men’s watch goes for around $7.000.  It is a timepiece with history and tradition…and a real work of art.  Get to know more about Cartier, today.

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Cartier Watches

Talk about unique, if you are looking for a watch that no one else has then look no further than the Cartier Santos 100 skeleton watch.  The height of design, its case is housed in a form of Roman numerals making it no less than a technical feat which by the way has a patent application pending.

The time is easy to read considering it has no face.  With a 72 hour power reserve it keeps exceptionally accurate time.

There are 138 components that make up this work of art.   Finished by hand, the bridges are chamfered and the sides satin-brushed.  Fifteen hours of work goes into finishing just the upper bridge.

Jackie Loved Cartier

It is 28.6mm by 28.6mm and has a thickness of 3.97mm.  A large piece boasting a crown decorated with a faceted sapphire.  It also features a sapphire crystal and the Roman numerals on the dial are the bridge of the movement.  Sword-shaped blued-steel hands show the hour and minutes.

Complete with an alligator strap and an 18k white gold and palladium 950% triple folding clasp this is an exquisite watch.

The sapphire crystal case is transparent and it is even water resistant to 30 meters or 100 feet.

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She was presented with the award by the film’s director Lee Daniels (pictured here with her). The next night when she accepted another award she was asked about the previous evening’s “incident” to which she responded to the Associated Press “The thing is me and Lee hadn’t see each other in a long time, and then he was presenting my award, so he starts off immediately with inside jokes. We had splashes of champagne, and I love Lee but he’s a bad influence.”

Anyway, all press is good press so no one is complaining, probably least of all the festival’s official presenter: Cartier.

Apparently, while all this was happening on the main stage, backstage, winners and presenters were given Cartier watches. Free Cartier watches?! Lucky!

To walk away with a Cartier watch is no small feat. Cartier watches are some of the nicest, most sought after luxury watches of all time. Regardless of the shapes, size, model or style, they’re all winners in my mind.

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Harry and his brother Prince William were left equal shares from Princess Diana’s estate following her death in a 1997 car crash in Paris. At that time, the shares were estimated to be about $10.6 million each, which has now been estimated to be about $46 million each.

However, even with all this money and fame and constant media attention, Harry is as normal as they come. He dates, he makes mistakes, he voluntarily joined the British Army where he has become a lieutenant, and he wears a watch that any “ol bloke” could afford: the G Shock by Casio.

The G Shock was designed to be an outdoor sports watch. It’s a tough watch, one that is shock resistant and can sustain the bumps and bruises of physical contact. All G-Shock watches have some kind of stopwatch feature, countdown timer, light and water resistance. As they’ve gained a somewhat celeb following, there are now some fancier styles.

Other fans of the G Shock include musicians / producers Usher, Kayne West (who also likes Rolex watches), Pharrell Williams and football fav Brett Favre.

The G Shock has done well in Hollywood flicks as well, appearing on the wrist of Brad Pitt in “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and on Steve Carell in the “The 40 Year Old Virgin”.

Speaking of inheritance; Harry’s ability and desire to be “normal” very much comes from his mother. What people loved about Princess Diana was her ability to connect to people, which is why she was known as the “People’s Princess.” Her classic sense of style was much admired, and when it came to watches, she didn’t disappoint; she wore a Cartier Tank yellow gold watch with full bracelet, among other luxury watches that could only be fit for a Princess.

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Watches, especially costly, luxury watches can easily cost as much or more than an engagement ring and watches are given all the time by those who have the funds to give them as a birthday gift, a get well gift, or for any ol’ reason.

For some reason, celebrities, maybe because they have so much money and half the time don’t know what to do with it, buy each other watches. Rolex seems to be the preferred brand among the rich and famous and it doesn’t seem to matter whether you’ve been going out for a week or a year, it’s common for celebs to give fancy watches.

Jennifer Aniston has all the money in the world and she’s a classy lady. She’s been known to wear vintage Cartier watches but lately has been seen wearing the Rolex that was given to her by then “boy- toy” John Mayer before they broke up. They had an on again, off again romance (for a whole, big four months), but throughout the ups and downs, Aniston had that gold Rolex on her wrist. And now, all of a sudden, it’s back on… the watch that is.  As for the romance, who knows?

The gossip world is wondering if and what this means. A possible reunion? Is she sending Mayer a message? Some say it’s her way of flirting with him. Mayer himself is a collector of Rolex watches, so perhaps she’s trying to show him that they have something in common? A reason to re-connect?

The gossip world would like to think that there’s something brewing.

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So young and so rich. Must be nice.

In a recent interview she talks about her own personal sense of style, including the luxury watch she can’t live without. In addition to jeans Christian Louboiton pumps, she chooses a classic Cartier watch to compliment her daily look. Her fashion advice?  “I’ve learned to really wear what looks best on me not necessarily what’s the newest ‘hottest’ trend.” Smart. Stick with the classics and you’ll always be fashionable.

Some of the other best dressed leading ladies who wear Cartier women’s watches are Jennifer Aniston and Michelle Obama.

Cartier has been dressing celebrities and royalty all over the world for years and years. From the red carpet in Hollywood to Windsor Palace, Cartier watches are spotted on the wrists of those men and women who are considered some of the most beautiful, elegant and important figures of our time.

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