The new Engraved Cartier Santos-Dumont Limited Edition watches pay homage to Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont one of the pioneers of aviation. “Go further” could have been Santos-Dumont’s motto, which pushed him to invent delicate, poetic flying machines for his pleasure and that of Parisian spectators —machines that connected dreams and technology, man and sky. This is the story told by the new Santos-Dumont watches. Each of them now beats to the rhythm of the Cartier Calibre 430 MC manual wound movement and is engraved with the original plans of Santos-Dumont himself. Four watches are being issued in a limited edition series. The first three watches measure 43.5 mm x 31.4 mm x 7.3 mm and are cased in platinum, 18K yellow gold, and 18K yellow gold and steel respectively. The last watch is cased in platinum and it’s larger in size measuring 46.6 mm x 33.9 mm x 7.5 mm.
Cartier Santos-Dumont “Le Brésil” Watch
Platinum case, silvered dial decorated with 12 polished metallic Roman numerals, sword-shaped hands, and a ruby on the winding crown. A numbered limited edition of 100 pieces. An exclusive status is confirmed by the combination of the rubied winding crown and platinum case. The sophistication of the polished or brushed finishes on the surfaces and bevel underlines its precious character. On the reverse is engraved the design of Santos- Dumont’s very first machine, “Le Brésil”, created in 1898 —“the smallest” and “the most beautiful”, according to the aviator. Its unveiling took place on 4 July 1898, after which a series of airships numbered 1 to 22 would emerge between 1898 and 1909, representing his many attempts to defy the laws of weightlessness.
Sticker Price $18,700 USD. For more info on Cartier click here.
Cartier Santos-Dumont “La Baladeuse” Watch
Yellow gold case, champagne dial, sapphire winding crown, blued sword-shaped hands, and patinated green alligator-skin strap. A numbered limited edition of 300 pieces. On the back is engraved the profile of “La Baladeuse” or “No. 9”, an experimental-looking motorized airship in which Santos-Dumont crossed the French capital’s sky in 1903. A small, bulging single-seater, “La Baladeuse” was intended for the personal use of its creator, who wished to demonstrate its usefulness in urban spaces. “The day will come when aerial omnibuses will transport tourists and business travelers,” insisted its creator.
Sticker Price $14,300 USD. For more info on Cartier click here.
Cartier Santos-Dumont “No. 14 bis” Watch
Yellow gold bezel on a stainless steel case, anthracite grey dial, blue spinel winding crown, and gilded steel sword-shaped hands. A limited edition of 500 pieces. On the back, an engraving of “No.14 bis”. In this flying machine, often described as a ‘kite of compartments’, the pilot, standing in the fuselage, was connected to the rudder and fins by cables. On October 23, 1906, after a day full of pitfalls, the “No.14 bis” won the Archdeacon Cup. Then, on November 12, 1906 it took the Aéro-Club award. Alberto thus became the first aviator to complete a flight of 220 meters verified by an official organization.
Sticker Price $7,250 USD. For more info on Cartier click here.
Cartier Santos-Dumont “La Demoiselle” Watch
An extra-large-sized watch celebrating masculine elegance in 30 numbered pieces, engraved with the design of “La Demoiselle”, the most elegant of Santos’ flying machines. This platinum watch with ruby cabochon was created in homage to Alberto Santos-Dumont, the pioneering dandy whose silhouette is inseparable from the Panama hat he was never seen without. Cartier pays tribute to this stylish accessory by using a made-to-measure Panama-weave strap. On the dial, the central square also evokes the woven design. As a detail for connoisseurs, the “Cartier” signature traditionally slipped into one of the branches of the VII is replaced by a “Santos”.
Created in 1908, “La Demoiselle” is Alberto Santos-Dumont’s most accomplished flying machine, and one of the first aircraft to be mass-produced. With it began a new era: “And we will sail through the air seeing Europe unfold at our feet like a geographical map. There we will remain, suspended between the stars and the earth.”
This limited series watch is presented exclusively in a lacquered maple wood box with a set of accessories that include an additional brown alligator strap, a brown alligator leather watch travel case, and a set of the Santos de Cartier cufflinks in 18K white gold with red tiger eye inlays.
Sticker Price $43,600 USD. For more info on Cartier click here.
