Cartier Santos-dumont Returns, Bigger And Better Than Before

For a brand so defined by their classic and elegant designs, you’d never expect to see a Cartier anywhere other than a lavish ballroom. The Santos de Cartier, however, is perhaps the only exception to their rule. And unlike some brands that make a sports watch for the sake of making a sports watch, the Santos has a history within the brand that dates back to 1904.

The Santos name comes from the Brazilian inventor and aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos-Dumont. Legend has it that Santos-Dumont and Louis Cartier became fast friends in the early 1900s and he had requested for a timekeeper that could still be used while his hands were occupied as he piloted early aviation crafts. In 1904 the first purpose-designed modern wristwatch was born (also, arguably the first Pilot’s watch). The design subsequently so well received by the public that the Santos de Cartier started mass production in 1911.

Fast forward to 2020 and the Santos-Dumont collection in Cartier lives on as a tribute to the man who inspired the eponymous Cartier watch collection. The latest Cartier Santos-Dumont XL is a reworked version of the watch to offer a design and proportion that reflects modern sentiments. The watch keeps the iconic bezel that showcases, in full view, screws that hold it in place but have been enlarged to measure in at 46.6 x 33.9mm. With the bigger case size, the dial also appears wider and more generous offering an unbridled look at the Cartier roman numerals and the sword-shaped hands.

Don’t be fooled by the extra size as Cartier keeps the watch incredibly thin at 7.5mm maintaining its elegance on the wrist. In order to achieve this, they power the watch with the Caliber 430 MC, a hand-wound mechanical movement with 38 hours of power reserve. The Cartier Santos-Dumont XL is available in Stainless steel or 18K pink gold or in a combination of the two.

Stay Tuned For More Updates On The 2020 Cartier Novelties At Cortina Watch.