This year marks the 120th anniversary of the most legendary wristwatch, Cartier Santos. It was created in 1904 when the famous aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend Louis Cartier for a pocket watch replacement that would allow him to tell time mid-flight without inconvenience. Louis Cartier fulfilled the request and designed one of the first male wristwatches ever to exist, naming it after the aviator. Since then, Cartier Santos has become an icon of horology, defined by its geometric dial, harmoniously curved horns, and signature exposed screws.
However, the Maison has always been open to revisiting its classics and exploring new invigorating designs. The major revamping of Cartier Santos in 2018 has given us the gift of a whole new collection, which has quickly become a modern classic. One of the most memorable Cartier Santos pieces produced by the Maison in recent years is the unsurpassed Santos de Cartier Skeleton. It offers a fresh take on the Santos de Cartier, the casual sports-chic model, as opposed to the more formal and fashionable Santos-Dumont, and attests to Cartier’s high-end technique and endless creativity.
Santos de Cartier Skeleton is the ultimate timepiece for modern men: it is all about power, success, and freshness. The classic elements of Santos de Cartier, which made it the elitist and bullish watch that it is, are all there: the soft-square dial frame, boldly exposed screws, and prominent numerals. But the model Santos de Cartier Skeleton is elevated to a new level of Haute Horlogerie with its bare appearance. Bringing a Cartier Skeleton design to life is an engineering and stylistic challenge, which is why the end product is so astonishing. The skeletonised look reveals the mysterious movements and tourbillons that make the watch tick. The technique is at the service of design.
The Santos de Cartier is the inaugural timepiece in the Maison’s esteemed collection to showcase a skeleton variation. This remarkable feat was achieved in 2009 by introducing the groundbreaking 9611 MC calibre — a pioneering skeleton movement meticulously conceptualised and crafted in-house by the Cartier Manufacture. Distinguished by its audacious bridges, elegantly sculpted into Roman numerals, this marvel doesn’t merely tell time; it turns each glance into an experience. The design is so ingenious that it is protected by a patent, making Cartier the sole watchmaker in the world with the capability to fashion a skeleton movement where the bridges themselves serve as an intricate yet functional method of timekeeping.
Indeed, the Roman numerals forming a movement bridge stand out most when looking at the watch. While inviting you to admire the timepiece, combined with the stripped dial, they also add a certain aerial lightness to Santos de Cartier, paying homage to the pilot, their namesake. The masculine steel case and bracelet beautifully contrast this aeriality, blued-steel sword-shaped hands, and seven-sided crown set with a faceted sapphire. The steel bracelet is equipped with the “SmartLink” resizing system, allowing you to adjust the watch to your arm easily. The second option is the gorgeous dark-blue alligator leather bracelet, equipped with the “QuickSwitch” interchangeability system.
The classic Santos de Cartier Skeleton is made of elegant and robust steel. However, if you fancy a touch of blue or gold on the case or an entirely different colour scheme, such as rose gold or polished grey steel, you can also choose this option. It is the watch to wear whether you are ruling Wall Street, enjoying a golf game, or basking in the sunshine at your beach residence. The year 2024 presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Cartier Santos by investing in this magnificent timepiece.
Article edited by Alexander Elisab
By mb@admin
