Cartier's New Santos-Dumont and Dual Time Watches
The fresh Cartier Santos watches, first presented at Watches and Wonders 2024, are simply not to be missed.
When it comes to Cartier timepieces, the Santos de Cartier is one of the best known. Just for the uninitiated: The birth of the iconic piece dates back to 1904, when Louis Cartier designed the timepiece specifically for his friend, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, so that he could easily check the time while flying. The Santos de Cartier, defined by its flat case with a distinctive square bezel, legible Roman numerals, and a sapphire cabochon on the crown, was ultimately created, and by 1911, the watch was put into production.
Fast forward to today, the Santos de Cartier continues to be one of the Maison’s most iconic collections, still embodying the pioneering spirit of the first aviators. At Watches & Wonders 2024, Cartier expanded on this legacy with the introduction of two new timepieces: the Santos de Cartier Dual Time and the Santos-Dumont Rewind, each designed to carry on the adventures.
The new Santos de Cartier Dual Time watch is the first in the Santos collection to receive a dual time complication. Crafted with a steel case in a large model measuring 40.2mm by 47.5mm and with a thickness of 10.1mm, the timepiece features a grey second time-zone display with an additional hour hand in a counter and a day-night indicator, perfectly complementing the satin-finish anthracite grey sunray-brushed dial. The classic sword-shaped hands come in a luminescent, rhodium finish. Tracking two different time zones at once has never been this sleek.
Take a look at the side and you’ll notice the seven-sided faceted crown with a synthetic blue spinel lending a touch of elegance. Its practicality comes through with the QuickSwitch system that enables the wearer to seamlessly interchange the steel bracelet and the anthracite alligator leather strap. The former, in particular, can be easily adjusted thanks to the SmartLink size adjustment system.
Secondly, the Santos-Dumont Rewind defies convention. Take a glance and you’ll be mesmerised by the striking carnelian dial that stands out beautifully against the 31.55mm platinum case. And take a closer look and you’ll notice the Roman numeral hour markers that are arranged counter clockwise. The design comes with rhodium-finish steel apple-shaped hands that are powered by a mechanical movement with reversed manual winding with a 230 MC calibre, radiating a touch of whimsy.
Limited to 200 pieces, the timepiece features a case back that’s engraved with the signature of Alberto Santos-Dumont and adorned with a beaded crown with a red ruby at the side. The semi-matte brown alligator leather strap with platinum ardillon buckle completes the eye-catching design.
