Panthère de Cartier Ultimate Guide (Read BEFORE You Buy!)

It is very easy to see why the Panthère watch has been winning people over for many years. The dazzling gold, the ferocious yet feminine panther head, and the elegant lines of the case design make it an eye candy on a classy woman’s wrist. 

This Cartier timepiece, however, besides being a beautiful watch, has something unique to offer under the surface. It represents elegance and strength, which are known attributes of the panther, yet the Panthère de Cartier keeps it all sheathed in its jewels.

If you enjoy watches made for confident and outstanding women, the Panthère de Cartier will remain a stakeholder for your wrist. This is the ultimate guide to lead you through the collection.

About Panthère de Cartier

The Panthère de Cartier has been among Cartier collections since 1914. It is named after the panther, an elegant yet ferocious animal that symbolizes beauty and power, all of which have been attributes of the company over the years.

The panther is an animal attributed to the God Bastet in Egypt, who guarded women and children in ancient days. It was seen as a symbol of authority in the Middle Ages, and for Cartier, it represents everything beautiful and powerful. 

History of the Panthère de Cartier

The Panthère de Cartier is a collection that has existed for more than 100 years and has been an iconic symbol of the Cartier company since its invention. The story of this collection begins in 1914 when Louis Cartier commissioned George Barbier’s drawing of a lady with a panther. The drawing became so popular that Louis started to use the panther motif on some of the ornaments made by the company. 

The 1920s came, and the popularity of the panther had grown wide, thanks to Jeanne Toussaint, who was the head of design in the company. She was known to have a strong passion for animal design, but her love for the panther outweighed others. She was instrumental to the growth of this collection and was often referred to as “ La Panthère”.

In 1980, the Panthère de Cartier became a household name when a line of watches was released that had the panther motif. The success of this line beat the company’s expectations and further cemented the status of the panther as an iconic symbol of both style and luxury. 

In an attempt to widen the customer base of this collection from just being bought by the wealthy to being affordable to the average individual, the quartz movement was introduced in 1983. More people were able to afford the watch, and the company became more popular. 

As a form of advertisement, watches in this collection started featuring in movies and shows in the 1990s, like the famous Sex and the City and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Panthère de Cartier still remains one of the most common symbols of the Cartier company and has continued to inspire many designs and collections to date.

This timepiece has gone through a lot of redesigns and remodeling over the years, but the signature sign of the panther has remained evident. When it comes to the world of women’s watches, this collection remains one of the most sought-after in the world. 

What Makes The Panthère de Cartier Stand Out?

Cartier watches, in general, have several features that make them stand out among other luxury timepieces. Some of the most distinct aspects of the Panthère de Cartier include:

Materials

Cartier uses the best materials in the design of this collection. Mother of pearl or silver is used in making the dial, with high-quality stainless steel used in this timepiece’s casing. Depending on the Panthère de Cartier watch, different precious metals and materials are also included in each timepiece. 

Case

The case of the Panthère de Cartier is its most attractive feature. It is made up of different materials like steel, diamond, and gold. The steel case is commonly used because of how well it fits with most attires. Depending on the specific model, the size of the case itself varies.

Heritage

The story behind the development of the Panthère de Cartier gives the timepiece an iconic status, not just within the Cartier brand but among women’s luxury watches in general. This timepiece has been worn by many A-list celebrities like Madonna, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, and Jane Fonda, just to mention a few. The watch has been a symbol of wealth and class since its invention, which makes it different from others. 

Craftsmanship

Not only was the Panthère de Cartier made with the best materials, but each watch was also put together by hand. This is done to ensure they come out special and beautiful. The Panthère timepiece is an iconic work of art; it is clear evidence of how skilled the designers of Cartier are.

Dial & Hands

The hint of the Panthère’s emblem on the hands and dial sets this timepiece apart from any design from the Cartier brand. The hands are either made up of gold or blued steel. Silver dial and the blued steel hands are the most common combination found, even though various other combinations come with the Panthère de Cartier. 

Bezel

When the Panthère de Cartier watch was released in 1983, the bezel was one of the things that caught the attention of most people. It is mostly designed with diamonds or other precious metals. The diamonds are most times designed in a pavé setting which gives the bezel a seamless look.

Bracelet

The Panthère de Cartier comes with various bracelet types. The inspiration for the bracelet comes from the lines of the Panthère. It is mostly made with gold and steel interlocking into each other, making it look like a Panther’s fur. The lines of the bracelet give the watch a feminine look with the way they hug the wrist. Other Cartier women’s watches most times have a more sharp and more structured bracelet.

Limited Edition 

Some of the Panthère de Cartier watches were produced in a limited edition which makes them very scarce. These watches are one of the favorites of collectors because of how most of them tend to appreciate in value over the years. 

Panthère de Cartier Models 

This timepiece comes in different models and special editions, but the most common ones are the Panthère de Cartier small model, which is the most popular one, the medium, and the mini model. 

Panthère de Cartier Small 

Most small timepieces don’t appeal to many watch enthusiasts because they only look good on a small wrist, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with this beauty here. The size of the case looks perfect for a petite woman’s wrist. It measures 30mm x 23mm in dimension and 6mm in thickness.

I set my eyes on this Cartier a couple of years ago, and what caught my attention was how polished the metal links on the bracelet were. The hands of the watch are sword-shaped and made of steel. This size of the Panthère watch comes in different varieties, which include white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and stainless steel. It sells for around $4,000. 

Panthère de Cartier Medium 

This timepiece is slightly bigger than the small model of the Panthère collection. Its 27mm x 37mm diameter will sit perfectly on a 15, 16, or 17 cm wrist. Just like the small model, it has a quartz version and an automatic version. It comes in a stainless or gold case and has a variety of dual colors. This model of the Panthère watch has been seen on celebrities like Madonna, Pierce Brosnan, and Charlie Sheen. 

Panthère de Cartier Mini

This is the smallest of the three models and is a good choice for classy women with very small wrists. It’s a watch that looks simple in size but makes a profound statement in terms of quality. The case of this watch is measured 25mm x 19mm with a water resistance of 30 meters.

It comes with a stainless steel bracelet and an extra leather strap. Famous celebrities like Blake Lively, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Hailey Bieber have been spotted wearing the Panthère Mini watch. The watch sells for around $3,500.  

Panthère de Cartier Pricing & Availability

The price of this watch depends on various things like the design, model, and materials used in making the timepiece. The quartz models are the cheapest of the Panthère watches, and they cost around $4,000. The models made with materials like gold, diamonds, and other precious metals could cost as much as $50,000 or even more.

Cartier has over 200 stores in 125 countries worldwide, and the watches in this collection can be found in most of these stores. The company also sells these watches on its official website, which can be found on some online retail watch stores. 

Does the Panthère de Cartier Hold Its Value?

Like every other watch, depending on your priorities, it is up to some key factors to decide whether a Panthère de Cartier watch holds its ground in terms of investment or not.

Reputation 

The brand holds a reputation for producing quality luxury watches, so their timepieces have a high chance of holding value if you plan on selling them in the future.

Watch design

Some of the watches in this collection have existed and remained popular among watch lovers for decades because of the timeless designs used. 

Quality of Materials

Panthère de Cartier watches are not just known for their beautiful panther designs but are also popular for the quality of gold, steel, diamonds, and other precious metals used in the production of the timepiece.

By designing a collection of women’s watches that radiates luxury, beauty, and quality all at once, Cartier has put together the Panthère watches specifically for women with a taste for the highest grade of jewelry.

Should you Buy a Panthère de Cartier?

When it comes to women’s watches, the Panthère has been seen as a timeless piece for years. Its popularity among notable people over many decades has made it a status symbol since its invention. But when it comes to the average person, is the Panthère de Cartier a good purchase?

There are many things to consider when trying to purchase a Panthère watch. The cost of the watch is a major consideration. This is a luxury collection that makes the price of the watches to be on the high side. The cheapest Panthère timepiece sells for around $4,000, while more expensive ones could cost more than $70,000. Investing in a timepiece of such an amount is no small feat, so getting one that you will appreciate for a long time is essential. 

This watch is a good choice for active women who want to maintain a classy and beautiful look on the move, as the materials used in the design are meant to make the watch resistant to different harsh conditions. The timepiece is also a good fit for casual attires as well as when you are dressed for special outings.

Other renowned luxury watchmakers like Rolex and Patek Philippe have watches of comparable standard to the Panthère de Cartier. But the unique panther design has made this collection stand out from these other brands. This timepiece is a great choice if you are looking for one that will stand you out from others.

Pros and Cons of the Panthère de Cartier

Some collectors have used watches like the Rolex Datejust, Patek Phillipe Nautilus, and the Omega Seamaster to compare watches in the Panthère collection. These timepieces are of a good standard, but the Panthère de Cartier is a much better watch in some aspects.

Pros

Here are some of the aspects of the Panthère de Cartier that make it a good choice for most buyers:

Design

Among watches of the same standard and recognition as the Panthère de Cartier, this timepiece is one of the few that have a unique design. The adoption of the panther design all over this timepiece totally sets it apart from the others.

Versatility

Panthère de Cartier watches are made to fit most situations and outfits, which is something most other luxury watches do not have. 

Femininity

It is no surprise that this timepiece is popular among some of the most beautiful women in the world. It is a watch for showing off stylish and confident feminine energy. Its elegant and sleek designs, as well as the shiny, luxurious materials used, make it a must-have for women looking for a high-end timepiece.

Cons

Below, you can find some of the disadvantages that come with buying and owning a Panthère de Cartier:

Price

This timepiece is no doubt a luxury piece, so it is not a surprise that it comes with such a high price—however, other brands with watches of the same standard offer lesser prices than the panthère de Cartier. The quartz version of this watch is the cheapest at around $4,000, and the automatic cost as much as $10,000. 

Recognition

Most people like a noticeable timepiece, but some enjoy a more subtle watch that does not call so much attention. The Panthère de Cartier lacks a less shiny look in the collection, which limits its market base.

Conclusion

The competition in the luxury watch business has been in existence for hundreds of years, and it has recently become more popular among women’s watches with the adoption of new designs.

There are various luxury brands out there that produce quality watches. You can find watchmakers that sell cheaper luxury watches than the Panthère de Cartier. But when it comes to a luxury timepiece that offers versatility, femininity, and a timeless design, only a few come close to this fierce panther.