Cartier was founded in 1847 and is mostly renowned outside royal circles for its watches. In 1911, Louis Cartier designed the world's first men's wristwatch for his friend, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont.
The traditional pocket watch was said to be too impractical for flying.
Successive Santos collections were named after the pilot and became part of watchmaking history. Cartier's Tank is a collector favourite, a watch that has achieved cult status.
The most recent collections are Ballon Bleu from 2007 and this spring's Clé.
You can distinguish a Cartier watch by its timeless design and uncompromising quality.
Jeweller to princesses and maharajahs
Cartier has always been a jeweller to royalty; a purveyor to the European courts and Indian maharajahs.
In 1956, the Prince of Monaco gave Grace Kelly an engagement ring with a diamond of over 10 carats. Kate Middleton used a Cartier tiara owned by the Windsors in her marriage to Prince William in spring 2011.
Cartier's Parisian address, 13 Rue de la Paix, is still home to the refined store, opened in 1899. It stands next to Opéra Garnier and Place Vendôme, perhaps the city's most beautiful square.
Another Cartier shop has since been opened on the square.
Cartier's classic watches are now available at Helsinki Airport from Lindroos Jewellers at Gates 27 and 33. The shop in the non-Schengen area at Gate 33 has a slightly wider selection.
A women's watch with a pink face from the Ballon Bleu collection has proved popular at the airport shops. This year's new collection, Clé, will be available starting this autumn.
The prices for Cartier watches start from some 2,000 euros.
Source: cartier.com
Photo: Cartier
