The Santos de Cartier watch first created in 1904 has certainly come a long way. Now iconic, its birth at the dawn of the 20th century harked the age of engineering, with its revolutionary design and usage as a wristwatch, echoed the spirit of speed and progress. Indeed, its distinctive aesthetic symbolised the modern era.
Now, a new Santos de Cartier has been introduced, but stays true to this original philosophy by reflecting the innovative, ever-changing spirit of the times of today.
Cartier focused on comfort and intelligent proportions in the updating of the Santos, while maintaining consistency and respect for its established aesthetic.
The square "tonneau" shape remains unchanged, echoing the refinement and symmetry of Parisian geometry of the era, as extolled in the four angular corners of the Eiffel Tower. The eight screws on the bezel remain, functional yet also a miniature tribute to the proliferation of mechanical steel structures associated with a golden age of urban architecture.
The design of the bezel has been updated, with sleeker lines accentuating the stylistic dynamic of the watch, whilst providing a better ergonomic fit around the wrist.
The strap has always been a key defining DNA for the Santos, having been proudly positioned as the first modern wristwatch when Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont asked Louis-François Cartier to create a timepiece able to be worn on the wrist (and not kept in a pocket) for his flights.
Now it has been updated with a quick interchangeable feature, the Cartier QuickSwitch system (patent pending), hidden underneath. Available in steel, gold, calfskin or alligator skin, the mechanism in the strap seamlessly blends into the structure of the case.
In addition, a new SmartLink self-fitting technology (patent pending) allows the owner to adjust length of the metal bracelet without the use of a tool. At the touch of a tiny button located on each SmartLink, the attachment bar is unlatched and the link easily removed.
With these design and functional updates, the Santos once again sets the benchmark for these modern times.
