An Origin Story

Out of the archives and onto the global stage, Cartier reintroduces a contemporary interpretation of Santos de Cartier, the world’s first wristwatch

Louis-Francois Cartier was a maker of many magical items, including one that would be wor n by the inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont, who possessed a spirit of innovation that paved the way for advancements in modern civilisation.

As a pioneer in aviation and engineering, the courageous Santos-Dumont needed a timekeeper while in flight—a substitute to the commonplace pocket watch, which required pilots to take their hands and eyes of f the controls. He commissioned Cartier for the task, leading to the cr eation of the first wristwatch designed for this purpose.

Over a century after, the maison reinvents the Santos de Cartier. Maintaining key design elements and updating a few details, the new Santos de Cartier is aligned to the lifestyles and needs of the brand’s current patrons.

While remaining essentially square-shaped, the new Santos bezel favours a linear synergy between the case and the strap. Brush-finished and sleek, all its parts meld perfectly well into each other. The eight unchanging screws are symbolic of the golden age of urban architecture, displaying Cartier’s passion for functionality.

Santos-Dumont’s quest for progress is reflected in this watch’s 1857 automatic and anti-magnetic calibre and waterresistant qualities within the minimal casing. Amidst all this or der and precision are two screws on both corners of each link of the bold straps.

The brand’s inclination for innovation, however, is most evident in the new Santos strap features. A concealed QuickSwitch system allows owners to change their straps fr om luxurious calfskin to classic steel or gold. A SmartLink self-fitting technology permits wearers to adjust the length of the bracelets by unlatching its very links with just a few clicks.

With the reinterpretation of one of world history’s true originals, the new Santos de Cartier echoes the spirit of men who pushed for progress. The bold timepiece, used in of fice boardrooms and at glamorous galas, is truly a totem of the fashion house’s relevance in contemporary society.