{"id":13096,"date":"2023-03-17T07:00:27","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T07:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=13096"},"modified":"2025-08-19T10:11:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T10:11:12","slug":"the-modern-cartier-santos-dumont-a-closer-look","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2023\/03\/02\/the-modern-cartier-santos-dumont-a-closer-look\/","title":{"rendered":"The Modern Cartier Santos-Dumont: A Closer Look"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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The Cartier Santos-Dumont<\/a>, introduced in 1904, holds the distinction of being the first pilot\u2019s and men\u2019s wristwatch. Consistently designed with a square case and slightly rounded corners and lugs, the Santos-Dumont was never meant to have a \u201cwow factor\u201d \u2013 what it offers instead is understated elegance, and the ability to easily read time and slide under a shirt cuff.<\/p>\n

In 2019, it returned in a contemporary style and finish for modern collectors. Alongside the beautiful historic features of the original Santos-Dumont, the result is a still classic, but strikingly modern timepiece. Here\u2019s a closer look at the modern Santos-Dumont.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Old vs. New Cartier Santos-Dumont Watches in solid Rose Gold and Two-Tone finish<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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A Brief History of the Cartier Santos-Dumont<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The origins of Cartier Santos-Dumont can be traced back to 1904\u00a0when Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont protested to his friend Louis Cartier about the impracticality of flying with a pocket watch. In response, Cartier created a flat wristwatch with a square bezel and slightly curved lugs, plus a leather strap so it could be worn on the wrist.\u00a0It eventually became the first men\u2019s wristwatch in history and the first-ever pilot\u2019s timepiece.\u00a0This piece ultimately caught on with other clients.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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The first flight by Alberto Santos-Dumont on November 12, 1906,
\nwhich earned him\u00a0the French Aeroclub Award (photo: Wikimedia Commons)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Characterized by 8 screws, the case of the Santos\u00a0appears to have been influenced by a square pocket watch produced by Cartier, but the highly readable dial design foreshadows a transition to Art Deco style that would define the 1920s and 1930s, and continues to define Cartier’s design ethos to this day.<\/p>\n

The Santos-Dumont was created in 1904 but was only introduced to the public in 1911. Since then, this model has been manufactured in small editions, mainly in platinum paired with a leather strap. However, yellow and white gold versions are also available but these are quite uncommon.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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A post shared by cartier_signature (@cartier_signature)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n