Cartier’s Santos is considered to be the first wristwatch and the first pilot’s watch of all time. To this day, its legacy remains unbroken. Alberto Santos-Dumont was more than just a pilot – he was obsessed with flying and devoted a large part of his life to inventing flying machines of all kinds. Almost by chance, Alberto Santos-Dumont also imagined the wristwatch. He wanted to be able to read the time comfortably from his wrist during his flights. None other than Louis Cartier made his bold idea a reality in 1904.
This year at Watches and Wonders 2023, Cartier again expanded the Santos-Dumont collection named after him with three luxury versions, limited to 200 pieces each, with particularly refined dials. The Roman numerals of the two-hand timepieces are cut out of jasper, jade, and dumortierite and are finely crafted onto the square dial. Combined with the radiating guilloche in the center, this creates an expressive sculptural impression.
The exterior measures 46.6mm by 33.9mm in diameter and with a height of 7.5mm, dimensions referenced for the “large” options of this model. Inside the two-hand watch beats the 430 MC hand-wound caliber from the Cartier manufacture. On the reverse, the case backs are engraved with the signature of Alberto Santos-Dumont.
The new Cartier Santos-Dumont executions in 750 pink and yellow gold retail for approximately $19,300 when converted to USD. The platinum version comes in at approximately $25,400. All three newcomers are fitted with color-coordinated alligator leather straps.
To learn more, visit Cartier, here.
