The Cartier Santos Dumont Chain
Founded by Louis Cartier in 1847, Cartier is one of the most iconic luxury brands worldwide. The house continues to reinvent its designs over time, updating old hits while also creating new masterpieces.
The Santos dumont chain is a classic watch from the collection, featuring a square dial with elongated Roman numerals. It is available in steel and two-tone gold and is accompanied by an alligator leather strap.
Case Material
The Cartier Santos dumont chain is a classic, enduring watch with an iconic design. Named after the Brazilian aviator who prompted Louis Cartier to create the first wristwatch, it features a square case with exposed screws on the bezel.
The watch is available in steel, two-tone, and 18k rose gold. Its clean lines, rounded edges and slim profile are complemented by a choice of alligator leather straps, making it easy to pair with any ensemble.
In addition to its signature look, the Santos also boasts some of the brand’s most important innovations. For example, it was the first Cartier watch to feature a deployant (folding buckle) – a technology still used today by many brands.
As for the case itself, it is made of stainless steel. This was a major shift for Cartier, which traditionally only worked with precious metals like gold and platinum.
The small model is equipped with a quartz movement and is water-resistant to 3 bar. It has a steel case, beaded crown set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, a silvered sunray-effect dial with Roman numerals, blued-steel sword-shaped hands and a navy blue alligator-leather strap with steel ardillon buckle.
Case Size
One of the most famous watch designs of all time, the cartier santos dumont chain is a timepiece that’s as easily recognised today as it was in 1904. The square dial with elongated Roman numerals and blue hands is instantly recognisable and the screws that secure the glass are said to be inspired by the legs of Gustave Eiffel’s tower.
Originally designed for Louis Cartier’s friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the watch is still an icon for the brand and it’s one of the first modern wristwatches ever made. It was later redesigned in 1978 to include an integrated bracelet, a move that would influence many future watches.
While the original case was made of gold, a stainless steel version soon followed. This was a major change for the maison, as Cartier had been using precious metals only since 1911.
The santos dumont is currently available in a range of models, including this small model with a rose gold 750/1000 case and a blue synthetic cabochon crown. It features a silver satin-brushed dial with sunray effect and Roman numerals, blued-steel sword hands and sapphire crystal.
Following the recent revamp of the Santos family, Cartier used SIHH 2019 to announce a new line of Santos-Dumont watches. Classically sized, thin and only available on leather straps, these watches express the brand’s design language with a price point not common to the Santos.
Case Shape
As one of Cartier’s first men’s wristwatches, the Santos dumont chain has a very distinct look. Developed in 1904 by Louis Cartier in collaboration with his friend, the Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont, the watch changed the face of men’s timepieces for good.
It was a groundbreaking development, and it’s no surprise that the Santos de Cartier continues to inspire designers and master watch-makers today. It’s also one of the most coveted and iconic watches in the collection.
Since its launch, it’s remained an icon of Cartier’s history and has been worn by many famous figures such as a host of world-class entertainers, athletes, and even the president of the United States. It’s a tremendous feat of design and function that has captivated enthusiasts around the world for more than a century.
The latest version of the Santos dumont chain, which made its debut at last year’s Watches & Wonders exhibition, is an excellent example of how far Cartier can take this design without sacrificing its essence. It looks very much like the 1904 model, but it’s infinitely sturdier and feels far more elegant to wear.
The case is made from stainless steel and the bracelet is crafted in two-tone steel and pink gold. It features a bezel that’s screwed into the case and a cuff that allows for easy adjustment of the bracelet. It is available in three versions, each fitted with a mechanical movement.
Bracelet Material
Cartier is known for their refined and elegant designs, with a focus on classic proportions and a sleek, modern aesthetic. Among the brand’s latest releases at SIHH 2019, the Santos Dumont exemplified this look, with a classically sized case and slim profile that is one of the most appealing offerings in Cartier’s line-up to date.
The watch comes in a hefty 46.6 mm x 33.9 mm steel case, set with a beaded crown crafted with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, a silvered sunray-effect dial with elongated Roman numerals and sword-shaped hands. It also features the brand’s “SmartLink” adjustment system that lets you flexibly configure your bracelet to fit your wrist.
This is a very strong and elegant piece that deserves a place in any collector’s arsenal. The quartz movement it uses is a real show stopper, especially for a timepiece at this price point.
Another big surprise is that the Santos Dumont was made in steel, a first for the brand that has traditionally focused on precious metals for its iconic pieces. This translates into a very solid and substantial looking watch, particularly when paired with a calfskin strap. The bracelet ties the watch together, making this one of Cartier’s more refined offerings in recent years.
Bracelet Size
The Cartier santos dumont chain is a classic, elegant watch that offers an easy way to dress up any outfit. It comes in 18k white gold with belcher style links and measures 8 inches long. It has a lobster clasp and weighs 15.1 grams.
Cartier has a great reputation for producing high-quality watches that are both sophisticated and refined. They don’t reinvent the wheel, but instead evolve their designs over time to achieve a timeless look.
During SIHH 2019, Cartier unveiled a new line-up called the Santos-Dumont. This line was designed to fit straps, not bracelets, and came in two sizes (Small and Large).
One of the best things about this new collection is that it’s offered at a price point that’s not commonly found in the Santos family. It also features a quartz movement, making it an attractive entry-level option for those who are not familiar with the brand.
This is a beautiful and timeless piece that’s available at an affordable price. It is also available in a number of different styles, including steel, two-tone and 18k rose gold. All of these options are offered on leather straps, giving you the chance to find a style that suits your personality and lifestyle.
Bracelet Shape
One of the first wristwatches purpose-built for a man, Cartier’s Santos de Cartier was developed in 1904 for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. After he complained about not being able to check his pocket watch while flying, Cartier designed a square case that featured exposed screws on the bezel and bracelet.
Today, this model is still a top-selling piece for the brand and remains one of its most iconic watches. In fact, the Santos is so popular that Cartier has redesigned it several times over the years.
It started as a simple bracelet watch, but in the 1970s it was updated to a more contemporary look and carried a more sporty feel. Then, in 2019, it was reintroduced with a quartz movement.
In 2020, three new mechanical Santos-Dumont XL models were introduced in different metals. These updates are a good example of how Cartier’s leadership team consistently finds a balance between honoring the original and creating a new iteration that is historically faithful while also appealing to the modern watch buyer.
Cartier is a company that excels when it’s led by strong, innovative and insightful leaders. Those qualities have served the house well in recent years, especially when it comes to launching watches that are not only beautifully designed but also highly functional.
Bracelet Length
Cartier is known for its tutti frutti necklaces and bracelets, but the French jeweler also has an impressive collection of other classics. One of its most iconic pieces is the Santos de Cartier, a watch that was first produced in 1904, and commissioned by Alberto Santos Dumont, the first aviator to wear a wristwatch on his wrist.
Its square-shaped dial features elongated Roman numerals, which look especially good on rectangular or square watches. A blue synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel is set into the bezel, creating a sunray effect that adds a nice pop of color to the dial.
The Santos line is an interesting move for the brand, bringing the design of the stainless steel Tank Solo to a more pared-back and simple shape while adding in a quartz movement. It’s a move that will undoubtedly get some grumbling from mechanical aficionados, but it also reveals an interest in the large market of people who appreciate a strong design without necessarily needing to lean on a fancy mechanical movement to make their case.
The Santos-Dumont series is a welcome change in direction for the House, and it is particularly important for a brand that was largely known for its precious metal work to make the shift. It offers a solid base for the brand’s new stylistic course, and will serve as a foundational piece for the company for years to come.
The Cartier Santos Dumont Chain