The Watch: The Santos is arguably where the men's wristwatch begins. In 1904, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that pulling out a pocket watch mid-flight was impractical, and Cartier designed him a square watch to wear on the wrist. Pilots, then everyone else, followed. The Santos-Dumont line today keeps the original's dress proportions and exposed bezel screws, as opposed to the sportier Santos de Cartier.
This is the skeleton version, and Cartier hid its best wink in the movement. The caliber 9629 MC winds via a micro-rotor, and that rotor is shaped as a miniature of La Demoiselle, the airplane Santos-Dumont flew in 1908. Every wrist movement sends the little plane spinning. The rest of the movement is openworked with gray lacquered bridges, visible from both sides through sapphire, with polished blued-steel sword hands carrying the time.
The case is the large model, 43.5mm by 31.4mm and only 8mm thick, in stainless steel with the winding crown set with a cabochon. The micro-rotor is what makes that thinness possible, tucked into the movement plane rather than swinging over it.
This 2024 example comes as a full set in excellent condition, appearing to have been worn only a handful of times, and remains under Cartier warranty until 2032.
Condition: Excellent, appears worn a handful of times. Under warranty until 2032.
Includes: Full set.
