Cartier Santos de Cartier Galbée Two-Tone

Few watches can claim to have changed the course of wristwatch history. The Cartier Santos is one of them.

Created in 1904 for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the Santos is widely regarded as one of the first purpose-built men's wristwatches. At a time when pocket watches still dominated, Louis Cartier designed a watch that could be consulted mid-flight without removing one's hands from the controls. More than a century later, the Santos remains one of the most important and enduring designs in watchmaking—a rare icon whose appeal has only grown with time.

This particular Santos Galbée, dating to the 1980s, represents one of the collection's most charming neo-vintage expressions. Its 29mm case combines stainless steel and 18k yellow gold in a way that feels quintessentially Cartier. The softly curved "Galbée" case profile hugs the wrist beautifully, while the signature exposed screws and seamlessly integrated bracelet create a design that is instantly recognizable from across the discotheque.

The dial is pure Cartier. Crisp and elegant, it features a white backdrop accented by printed Roman numerals, a chemin-de-fer minute track, and the maison's signature blued steel sword hands. A sapphire cabochon crown adds a final touch of unmistakable Cartier flair. Together, these elements create a watch that feels equally at home with a tailored jacket, a cashmere sweater, or a simple white T-shirt.

Powered by a reliable quartz movement, the Santos Galbée offers all the style and history of one of watchmaking's great icons with the convenience of grab-and-go wearability. The result is a watch that feels every bit as relevant today as it did four decades ago.

For many collectors, the Tank may be Cartier's purest dress watch. The Santos, however, is its most versatile—a design that effortlessly bridges sport, elegance, and everyday wear. Few watches do it better.

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 via brancards into the case itself. 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 amidst a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs that resemble 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.