Cartier Santos de Cartier Medium

Few watches have enjoyed the enduring appeal of the Cartier Santos. Originally conceived in 1904 for pioneering Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the Santos was among the earliest wristwatches designed specifically for men. Its distinctive square case, exposed screws, and integrated bracelet helped establish a design language that remains unmistakably Cartier more than a century later.

This Santos de Cartier Medium takes that celebrated formula and gives it the full gold treatment. Executed in 18K yellow gold, its softly squared case features the collection's signature rounded corners, polished bezel with exposed screws, and a matching bracelet with alternating brushed and polished finishes. A silvered dial with bold black Roman numerals, a chemin-de-fer minute track, and blued sword-shaped hands delivers all the familiar Cartier signatures, while a discreet automatic designation at six o'clock hints at the mechanical movement within. The result is a watch that feels both substantial and remarkably elegant, with the sort of understated glamour that Cartier does better than just about anyone.

Powered by a self-winding mechanical movement, this example is fitted to its matching 18K yellow gold bracelet, an essential part of the Santos's architectural appeal. The watch is accompanied by an impressive complement of accessories, including its inner and outer boxes, original papers and pamphlets, an additional strap, and Cartier service documentation. Notably, the watch received a complete service through Cartier Japan in April 2026, with accompanying records.

A true design classic, this solid-gold Santos offers an appealing alternative to the usual round dress watch. Equally at home beneath a tailored cuff or worn casually, it is a compelling expression of Cartier's unique ability to blur the line between fine watchmaking and jewelry.

Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of making watches.

It started in 1907, when founder Louis Cartier made what was one of the first wristwatches for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. In the following years, the brand made a name for itself with its most famous wristwatch, the Tank, in all its multitudinous forms.

Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917 — which was supposedly inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks seen on the battlefields of World War I — with a run of six pieces. (According to legend, these were given to American General John J. Pershing and his staff.) Cartier took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the watch’s lugs, which were integrated into the case itself via brancards. That first run of six pieces increased to thirty-three by 1920, and by the end of the 20th Century, that number stood well in the hundreds of thousands. Indeed, in sheer volume alone, the Tank — in all its various models — is Cartier's largest line of watches.

The Tank Louis was introduced in 1922, followed close on the heels of the Asian-influenced Tank Chinoise. The Chinoise, released amid a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs resembling the portico of a Chinese pagoda.
From its debut, the Tank would see many variations, each in keeping with Louis Cartier’s taste for clean lines and perfect symmetry. Each variant — from the original Tank to the Tank Louis to the Cintrée with its flirtatious, curvaceous lines — has its passionate devotees. Rudolph Valentino, that sensual star of the silver screen, insisted on wearing his Tank onscreen in The Son of the Sheik, and Clark Gable, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were among those who sported a one throughout the years.

Other model lines, including the Santos (based upon the original model crafted for Alberto Santos-Dumont) and the Pasha, have developed devoted followers. Indeed, the maison is unique as one of the few jewelry brands to elicit as much passion from collectors as dedicated watch companies.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.