Cartier  Santos de Cartier  Watches

Santos de Cartier: The World’s First Wristwatch for Men

A French luxury brand, Cartier made a name for itself in the watchmaking industry due to its significant part in the evolution of horology. The Santos de Cartier watch collection gave rise to the world’s first-ever wristwatch for men. Relatively, it is the oldest and one of the most notable series from the French company that offers not only awe-inspiring designs but also reliable function. Santos de Cartier timepieces offer comfort and ease of use through their compact, square-shaped cases and durable bands. 

For more than a century since its launch, the Santos de Cartier collection has produced different reiterations of this classic design — all while maintaining its promise of timeless beauty and innovative features. They are also made with Cartier’s excellent craftsmanship and distinct caliber movements that continue to impress many timepiece aficionados.

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular Santos de Cartier Watches

How much does a Santos de Cartier watch cost?

Due to various designs and materials used, the Santos de Cartier collection caters to people’s different needs and tastes. The luxury French brand crafts timepieces that offer great aesthetic appeal and worthwhile monetary value. Since the Santos the Cartier comes in a wide array of models, the timepieces from the collection can be availed depending on one’s allotted budget and individual preferences.

This masterfully crafted timepiece may not be exactly the cheapest Cartier watch, but it certainly delivers in function and design. The Santos de Cartier Quartz Ref. W2SA0011 in silver dial and a 31.4mm stainless steel and rose gold case is a notable part of the collection that pioneered wristwatches for men. For an approximate price of $5,600 USD, you can avail this work of art and flaunt its beauty everywhere you go.

With a silver color and black finish, the dial of the Santos de Cartier Stainless Steel & Rose Gold W2SA0011 watch offers a sleek-looking aesthetic. This timepiece’s blued steel hands and Arabic numeral indexes are also very elegant to look at. This luxury watch also has a band made of alligator leather that proves to be exquisite and, above all, durable. Made of stainless steel, its square case with a solid back is also lasting and elegant. Among its features include water resistance that reaches up to 30 meters, as well as a quartz movement. All in all, this timepiece is surely a worth-buying watch for patrons looking for both function and style.

Another notable inclusion in the Santos de Cartier series is the Santos de Cartier Automatic Ref. WSSA0010. This timepiece is truly more than a time teller, it also serves as a work of art that was exceptionally made by the notable French brand. Its Smart Link feature offers customization options through band resizing. In turn, users can find this timepiece to be very handy and comfortable to use.

Aside from an adjustable stainless steel bracelet, this Cartier automatic watch is also powered by Cartier’s notable Calibre 1847 MC movement. The timepiece has a polished dial paired with Roman numeral indexes and sword-shaped hands. With its silver opaline dial and blue hands, a splendid variation of colors can be enjoyed by merely looking at this timepiece. Moreover, its 100-meter water resistance and a power reserve of up to 42 hours make this watch even more exceptional.

With these noteworthy specifications and reliable functions, the Santos de Cartier Automatic Silver Dial Stainless Steel WSSA0010 Men's Watch will surely give you your money’s worth with its estimated price of $6,749 USD.

The Santos de Cartier Automatic Mother of Pearl Dial Unisex Watch (Ref: W20106X8) is yet another timepiece that exhibits the collection’s roots, as well as its innovation. This Cartier automatic watch is powered by the French company’s distinct Cartier Calibre 076 movement. With a price of around $6,369 USD, the Santos de Cartier Mother of Pearl Dial W20106X8 watch certainly gives you so much bang for your buck with its precise features and excellent workmanship.

This charming eye candy comes with a silver dial that has sword hands and black Roman numerals. The Santos de Cartier Mother of Pearl Dial W20106X8 is also made with a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal. Meanwhile, you can keep this timepiece on your wrist with its durable and sophisticated leather band. Convenience and longevity are also assured due to this watch’s water resistance that could hold up to a depth of up to 100 meters.

If you’re looking for a timepiece that offers both style and comfort, look no further. The Santos de Cartier Ref. W20128X8 is certainly a suitable timepiece for you. This 33mm watch is rooted in the French luxury brand’s tradition and procured according to purposeful reinvention. Since it can be availed at around $6,999 USD, it falls in a relatively average position on the range of Cartier prices.

While it is fairly more affordable compared to other high-end models that offer the same features, the Santos de Cartier W20126X8 watch is truly a worth-considering purchase. For one, it possesses a classic design and iconic square case that proves to be timelessly beautiful. This refined automatic timepiece also has a diameter of 33mm, making it a comfortable and convenient wristwatch. You can also wear it using its easy-to-use leather pink band that also looks strikingly lovely. Although it could initially be recognized as a ladies’ watch, men who wear pink could also find this piece incredibly appealing,

The spotlight shines on this Santos de Cartier timepiece’s silver dial which has equally beautiful Roman numeral indexes and sword-shaped hands. Its square case is made of stainless steel that proves to be lasting and stylish, as well. The stainless steel back of the Santos de Cartier W20126X8 watch is also engraved and refined. With a water resistance of up to 100 meters and a power reserve that can operate for around 42 hours, this automatic timepiece will certainly make for a great addition to any impressive watch collection.

For luxurious occasions or formal events, the Santos de Cartier Medium Two-Tone Ref: W2SA0007 dress watch certainly serves as an accessory that will make you shine. Show off your eccentric taste in watches with this timepiece’s opaline silver dial, blued-steel sword-shaped hands, and elegant markers in Roman numeral format. The 23 precious jewels used to adorn this remarkable watch also exhibits sheer beauty and class. Many would also agree that the 18K yellow gold bezel is one of the most notable parts of this pleasant watch.

Longevity is also assured by this model with its case and bracelet made of durable stainless steel. The Santos de Cartier Medium Two-Tone W2SA0007 watch is also made with sapphire crystal that has scratch-resistant properties. It also boasts of a water resistance feature that protects your watch to a depth of up to 100 meters. Notably, this self-winding, automatic timepiece is powered by Cartier’s remarkable Caliber 1847 MC movement. Moreover, it delivers in the aspect of power as it reaches up to 28,800 vibrations per hour. Around 38 hours of power reserve can also be maximized by users of this Santos de Cartier watch. For an estimated cost of $9,500 USD, you can enjoy all of these features and more.

The Colorful History Behind the Santos de Cartier Collection

The remarkable timepieces from the Santos de Cartier series do not only hold great design or function, they also boast of a colorful history that makes them even more exceptional. The awe-inspiring roots of this collection exude appeal to many loyal patrons and timepiece connoisseurs. It is worth noting that Cartier asserts a significant stand in the history of horology as the distributor of the world’s first-ever wristwatch for men. This timepiece in question is none other than the Santos de Cartier that was launched to the public in 1911. Notably, this timepiece was made to address the issue of pocket watches being impractical and quite hard to carry. In turn, the Santos de Cartier watch offers more convenience, as it also delivers in terms of great style and reliable function.

From this vintage Cartier watch came the development and reinvention of the Santos de Cartier collection over the years. Among the esteemed reiterations of the first-ever Santos de Cartier watch is the 1978 model that boasts of a two-toned band of gold and steel. In the 1980s, the timepieces from the collection garnered additional members to their legion of patrons due to their utter beauty and reliable features. For a couple of years, the reinvention of this collection’s watches was halted as Cartier turned its attention to producing other collections.

In 2018, the French luxury brand revisited the Santos de Cartier series as they reinvented the watches’ design and innovated their functions. The release of 13 new Santos de Cartier timepieces from that year took the horology industry by storm. Dedicated to further enhancing the features and strengthening the esteemed reputation of the collection, Cartier introduced the Santos-Dumont timepiece that also struck the interest of many watch connoisseurs. 

Santos de Cartier vs. Cartier Santos-Dumont

The Santos de Cartier may have been rooted in tradition, but the French brand strived to reinvent this classic collection by fusing classic workmanship with innovation and contemporary designs. While the Santos de Cartier collection fascinates people who are looking for more durable yet still equally elegant watches, its new reiteration of the Cartier Santos-Dumont watches aims to appeal to different target consumers. Indeed, the Santos-Dumont series is crafted to adorn the wrists of dapper gentlemen with a penchant for stylish and more up-to-date timepieces.

While the Santos de Cartier watches exude a closer style to its first model, the Cartier Santos-Dumont collection offers more modern-looking timepieces. Even though a Santos-Dumont watch has a more contemporary feel or holds redefined parts, it still maintains many staple features from the original Santos de Cartier collection. These include the notable eight-screwed bezel and iconic square case. Of course, both collections also exude the French brand’s distinctive craftsmanship, in-house calibers, and first-rate materials. Similarly, the price of Cartier watches from the Santos de Cartier and Santos-Dumont series varies depending on the model’s features, materials, and availability. A timepiece from the latter reaches an estimated cost of $3,000 USD to $12,000 USD. An exclusive white gold and diamond-adorned watch from the Santos-Dumont collection also falls on a more expensive price of around $50,000 USD.

Reasons to Buy  a Santos de Cartier Watch

Without a doubt, both brand new and used Cartier watches will prove to be worthwhile investments for many reasons. In particular, the Santos de Cartier series offers a significant part in the history of horology — making it an esteemed addition to anyone’s watch collection. As the first-ever wristwatch for men, a Santos the Cartier timepiece also serves as an archetype of what a stylish and functional watch should be. 

Due to its rich history of over a century, the Santos de Cartier models undoubtedly exude Cartier’s extensive knowledge in watch-making. In turn, horology connoisseurs would be pleased with the excellent quality and craftsmanship of these timepieces. As a luxury brand, Cartier also does not sacrifice the quality of materials that they use — an attribute that they maintain in this particular collection. The distinct square-shaped case of the Santos de Cartier timepiece also exudes a unique and timelessly beautiful feature from the collection. In terms of power and longevity of use, the watches from this series will surely deliver. Its first-rate movements and calibers exclusively made by Cartier are driving factors that made many loyal patrons turn to this collection, as well. 

Santos de Cartier: An Icon in Horology

As sure as the prices of Cartier watches greatly vary, their timepieces’ designs and features also change over time. The Santos de Cartier collection offers timeless beauty rooted in tradition and comprehensive talents in watchmaking. Moreover, the timepieces from this series do not only help determine the time, but they also serve as square-shaped works of art that prove to be reputable icons in horology. Loyal patrons and watch aficionados are certainly looking forward to the innovation and reimagination that Cartier would carry out to further enhance the collection in the years to come.