Cartier Santos W2SA0007

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The legendary Cartier Santos set the template for every wristwatch that followed after its release in 1904. And, it’s still every bit as relevant as it was over a hundred years ago. Before the introduction of the Cartier Santos, it was common for men to wear rather clunky pocket watches. The Santos was pioneering for completely reimagining the way we interact with our timepieces, but also because it introduced a revolutionary aesthetic. The pocket watches that preceded it, and many wrist watches that followed it, were round with fluid details. The Santos, in contrast, has a strong and utilitarian look, with a square case and visible screws on the bezel. The Santos has remained a staple in Cartier’s collection ever since its introduction more than a century ago. Over time, its boxy looks were toned down a bit, with the case acquiring slightly curvier lugs, and the iconic integrated Santos bracelet was introduced in the late 1970s. This ref. W2SA0007 Santos is the most recent execution, dating back to 2020, and features a 35.1 mm wide stainless steel and 18k yellow gold case and matching two-tone integrated bracelet. The dial sports the classic Cartier-style black Roman numerals and blued sword hands that match the iconic blue sapphire-tipped Cartier crown. The watch is powered by a handy automatic movement and comes as a full set with the original box and papers.

Introduction

Cartier  Louis-François Cartier took over his master’s jewellery workshop in 1847. Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business and expanded the brand by opening shops in New York and London. King Edward VII of the United Kingdom granted Cartier a prestigious royal warrant in 1904, calling the brand “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.” Such was the renown of Cartier, that royal warrants soon rolled in from all over the world (among which, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, Siam, Spain, Portugal, and Russia). While Cartier is known primarily for its jewellery, it also has a storied history in watchmaking. Cartier’s first foray in watchmaking came in 1888, offering exclusively ladies models. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave his friend and Brazilian aviation pioneer Santos Dumont a watch to wear during his flights. Until then, wrist watches were worn exclusively by women and men opted for the traditional pocket watch. The ‘Santos-Dumont’ was not only the first wristwatch geared towards men but also the first pilot’s watch. Santos In 1904 Louis Cartier came up with a ground-breaking solution for his pilot friend Alberto Santos Dumont. Santos-Dumont complained that it was inconvenient to consult his pocket watch while flying. Louis Cartier came up with the innovative idea of attaching a watch to a bracelet. The new watch would not only become the first pilot’s watch, but the first men’s wristwatch! Until then, Cartier had focused on jewelry and women’s watches. Santos-Dumont’s celebrity status helped popularize Cartier’s innovative design among the male masses.

Specifications

Shipping

We offer complimentary worldwide shipping by insured courier. Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped by private courier, PostNL, FedEx or Ferrari group; depending the value and destination. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For all destinations tracking is available.