For tsars and maharajas, European royalty and American super-millionaires, Cartier has been the recognized purveyor of luxury, the epitome of glittering opulence.

In the 1980s Hans Nadelhoffer was granted exclusive access to the Cartier archives, including previously unpublished photographs and designs, to write the history of the Cartier empire. In this new edition, the book, now printed throughout in colour, has been completely redesigned, and many new colour illustrations have been added. Further discoveries made since the original volume was published have been incorporated in the text. This is the authenticated story of Cartier as it has never been told before.

The result is a highly entertaining and illuminating account, in which the career of the house of Cartier is traced from its modest beginnings in Paris to its eventual predominance over the world of fashion. Anecdotal as well as technical and documentary, Hans Nadelhoffer's sumptuous book shows how Cartier has set stylistic modes and standards throughout its years of overwhelming success, and gives full credit to the little-known individuals who helped to bring this about.