SANTOS DE CARTIER
TIME FOR A NEW ERA
The Santos de Cartier wristwatch is as modern today as when it was created by Louis Cartier more than a century ago. Its singular aesthetic marks a milestone in the House of Cartier's explorations of geometrical forms.
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TWO PIONEERS
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Louis Cartier designed the first Santos de Cartier in 1904 for his friend, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont who wanted to know what the time was without losing control of his "flying machine".
In 1906, when Santos-Dumont disembarked from his aeroplane and looked at his wrist to check the time, the admiring crowd was fascinated by this novel timepiece. -
ONE OF THE FIRST MODERN WRISTWATCHES
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The Santos de Cartier wristwatch was one of the first timepieces designed specifically to be worn strapped to the wrist. Because the strap was integral to the very principle of the watch, Cartier devised a case with fully incorporated lugs. There was no longer a structural break between case and attachments. The rounded corners of the square case extended into the curve of the lugs, forming a single piece ready to receive a strap.
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AVANT-GARDE AESTHETIC
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The dynamic design that combines a square within a rectangle is a distinct departure from the classic round watch. An exploration of form and function, precision and aesthetics, the Santos de Cartier watch marks the convergence of early Art Deco style, industrial design and metal architecture.
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A FAMOUS LINE
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In 1978 Cartier introduced the first Santos de Cartier watch crafted in steel and gold. The model's iconic screws soon became a symbol of the House of Cartier. The distinctive sporty, elegant lines of the Santos de Cartier collection inspired an extensive line of Cartier wristwatches and accessories.
Groundbreaking design The Santos de Cartier b...
Groundbreaking design
The Santos de Cartier broke new ground with brand new features, including the screw-studded bezel, reminiscent of an aeroplane cabin or the distinctively broad square dial marked with Roman numerals.
Art Deco, before the fact
The seeds of the Art Deco style are apparent in the design of the Santos de Cartier collection, notably in its geometric lines, rounded angles and the harmonious curve of the lugs as they converge in the watch strap.
The many faces of Santos de Cartier collection...
The many faces of Santos de Cartier collection
Sporty and classic, elegant and modern, the multi-dimensional character of the Santos de Cartier watch design appeals to all tastes.
