Cartier Watches The history of Cartier is fantastic, as it invented many styles of watches that are still produced today. Founded in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier, this company was originally a jewelry boutique. The first wrist watch made by Cartier was called the Santos Dumont named after the Brazilian Aviator in 1904.Two years later, Cartier began experimenting with jewel-encrusted watches.