Cartier Santos Dumont

Few watch designs have enjoyed the longevity of the Cartier Santos. Conceived in 1904 for the pioneering aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, it is widely regarded as one of the first purpose-built wristwatches. More than a century later, the Santos remains instantly recognizable, proving that genuine design icons require remarkably little reinvention.

The Santos-Dumont collection represents the design in its purest form. Slimmer, more refined, and faithful to the original spirit of Louis Cartier's creation, it strips the watch back to its essential elements: a perfectly proportioned square case, exposed screws, Roman numerals, and a blue cabochon crown. The result is one of the most elegant dress watches in Cartier's modern collection.

This Santos-Dumont, Reference WGSA0021, is crafted in 18K rose gold and measures 32mm by 43mm, dimensions that capture the model's unmistakable elegance while offering exceptional presence on the wrist. Its silver sunray dial radiates outward from a recessed central square, framed by Cartier's signature elongated Roman numerals and chemin-de-fer minute track. Blued steel sword hands and the faceted sapphire cabochon crown provide the subtle touches of color that have become enduring signatures of the maison.

Inside is a high-precision quartz movement, a fitting choice for a watch whose appeal lies in effortless daily wear. Free from the need for winding or frequent adjustment, it allows the focus to remain where Cartier intended: on one of the most enduring case designs in watchmaking. The watch is paired with a black alligator leather strap secured by a matching 18K rose gold Cartier pin buckle. This example also includes its Cartier warranty card dated to the 2010s, the original sales receipt, and manual.

The Santos-Dumont occupies a unique place within Cartier's catalog. It is less about complication than proportion, less about novelty than permanence. More than a century after the original Santos first appeared, its clean geometry and unmistakable silhouette remain as compelling as ever—a reminder that the strongest designs rarely need to be reinvented.

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.