Credits: Article and images by Raman Kalra @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/09/08/cartier-santos-review-th-luxury-sports-watch-you-might-not-have-considered/
Raman Kalra is the founder of The Watch Muse blog and has kindly agreed to share some of his articles with us here on Quill & Pad.
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Cartier is a luxury goods conglomerate that designs, produces and sells its products. However, you will notice that any description will list it as a jewelry brand before a watch brand. This puts into perspective what Cartier has achieved with their watches, they are undeniably distinct and appeal to both the broader consumer and watch enthusiasts.
We all know what they look like, we all have our own thoughts on them and therefore, it is no coincidence that according to Morgan Stanley, Cartier ranks 2nd in total estimated revenue in 2022, second only to Rolex.
Cartier Santos
One of the best-known models is the Cartier Santos. Holding claim to being the first wristwatch for men ever produced, it remains the sporty staple of their collection. It feels as though there has been a renewed interest in Cartier and the Santos more specifically in recent years, but I still think there is room for this watch to be understood by more people. I say this because I am that person.
Previously, I appreciated the Santos from afar, but lately, something has clicked, and this watch has jumped up towards the top of my wish list. By sharing my impressions and feelings, I am hoping it may do the same for you.
Here I will look at the Santos de Cartier in-depth and look at how it has achieved such a standing in the watch community. Further, are there areas where I think there could be improvement?
It is not the most traditional sports watch, but should you consider it over others from Rolex and Omega? Santos de Cartier will be referred to as ‘Santos’ going forward for simplicity. There are other models such as the Santos Dumont, which is inspired by the original model, and the Santos Galbée, but if referenced it will be stated.
Brief History
The Cartier Santos has a very rich, long history; once understood, it helps you appreciate it beyond the timeless design. It began in 1904. Louis Cartier, the grandson of Louis-François Cartier, was managing the Cartier branch in Paris. One of his close friends was the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos- Dumont. Born into a wealthy family of coffee producers, Santos-Dumont ended up dedicating himself to the early development of aircraft in Paris.
Alberto Santos- Dumont
Through his tests, Santos-Dumont was using a pocket watch which was less than ideal when checking timings. This inconvenience led him to meet with Louis Cartier, asking him to produce a wristwatch that would be more convenient. Cartier responded, designing a watch with a leather strap that could be worn on the wrist. No longer would Santos-Dumont have to take his hands off the yoke
The Santos was born. The pilot’s watch was born. The wristwatch for men was born.
The aesthetics were very much in line with what we know of the Santos today, as it was designed with a square bezel, a white dial, and Roman numerals. Santos-Dumont was very satisfied with the outcome and wore the watch on every test going forward. It was 1906, however, when the invention gained wider recognition. Aviation was of great interest at the time, and he became the first person to be filmed flying an aircraft.
Being widely known around Europe, the media attention Dumont generated led to people noticing what was strapped to his wrist.
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Credits: Article and images by Raman Kalra @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/09/08/cartier-santos-review-th-luxury-sports-watch-you-might-not-have-considered/
