Cartier Santos-Dumont Lacquered Watch Returns in 3 New Colors
A charming trilogy of Santos-Dumont models in vivid paint colors.
Cartier’s long-standing relationship with the courageous Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont shows no signs of abating. Santos-Dumont asked Louis Cartier to create a timepiece that would allow him to check the time without taking his hands off the controls, resulting in the first men's wristwatch in 1904. Featuring smooth geometric lines, Cartier’s Santos-Dumont watch has flown in and out. Before officially entering the watchmaking world in 2018, following the successful launch of the elegant Santos-Dumont lacquered model in 2022, Cartier launches a new trilogy of Santos-Dumont models with precious metal cases and bright and colorful paint details.
Louis Cartier's for Brazilian pilots is true to the Art Deco style that originated in France, blending a sleek, streamlined aesthetic with a functional square case with exposed screws.
With rose gold, yellow gold and platinum cases with a diameter of 31.5 mm, a length of 43.5 mm and an ultra-thin thickness of 7.3 mm, these compact watches are the epitome of dress watches. Extending from the dial to the case, the eight exposed screws on the bezel and the middle of the case are coated with a thin layer of colored lacquer and then hand-polished to a smooth finish. Lacquer is applied to the edges of the case, greatly emphasizing the smooth, rounded geometry of the bezel and the middle of the case.
Unlike the more sedate palette chosen for the 2022 model, Santos-Dumont's new trilogy comes in lively, almost metallic tones like olive green, peacock blue and taupe. The translucent lacquered dial also has a sunray brushed finish, which creates a lovely shimmering effect.
The railroad-style minute track, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, and cabochons of gemstones set in the beaded crown (rubies for platinum cases, sapphires for yellow and rose gold) are signature Cartier features. However, unlike the 2022 version, the dial does not have Roman numerals. These have been replaced by stylish Arabic numerals, and the metal on the dial matches the color of the case. Still Art Deco in nature, the size and curves of the numerals echo the rounded silhouette of the watch.
Beneath the sealed caseback engraved with Alberto Santos-Dumont's signature is the Caliber 430 MC, a Cartier-branded version of Piaget's ultra-thin hand-wound hours and minutes movement, the Caliber 430P. The movement is only 2.15mm thick, has a vibration frequency of 21,600vph, and a relatively short power reserve of 38 hours.
Each model comes with a matching colored matte alligator leather strap and closes with a pin buckle made of the same metal as the case.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – CARTIER SANTOS-DUMONT PAINT
Case: Diameter 31.5 mm x Length 43.5 mm x Height 7.3 mm - Platinum, rose gold or yellow gold - Bezel and case center painted olive green, platinum model with taupe paint and sapphire cabochon crown, yellow gold, peacock Model in taupe lacquer and sapphire cabochon Rose gold model in blue lacquer and sapphire cabochon - Beaded crown - 30m water resistant
Dial: Olive green, taupe and peacock blue lacquered dial with sunray brushed finish - 3D Arabic numerals - Sword-shaped hour and minute hands - Railway minute track
Movement: Caliber 430 MC (Base Piaget 430P) - Hand-wound, ultra-thin - 20.5mm x 2.15mm - 18 jewels - 21,600vph - 38 hours power reserve - Hours and minutes
Strap: Color-coordinated semi-matt alligator leather strap - pin buckle made of the same material as the case
Reference Number: CRWGSA0096 - Olive Green
CRWGSA0097 - Taupe
CRWGSA0098 - Peacock Blue
