The Santos-Dumont Watch
Year of origin: 1904
In a tribute to the early flying machines piloted by aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, Cartier has created four limited editions. But first, it’s good to bear in mind that the Santos watch was created at the request of Santos-Dumont himself, who lamented that pocket watches were not practical during flight. Thus, the square Santos was hailed as the first modern wristwatch for men.
Back to the limited editions, each is engraved with a flying machine on its caseback. The platinum “Le Bresil” features its namesake flying machine from 1898. According to Santos-Dumont, it was his “smallest and most beautiful” machine.
Then there is the “La Baladeuse” or “n°9”, a motorised airship that Santos-Dumont used to fly across Paris in 1903. The watch is available in yellow gold. The “n°14 bis”, a sort of mechanical kite in which the pilot flew while standing in its fuselage, is designed with a steel case with yellow gold bezel and an anthracite dial.
Last but not least, the “La Demoiselle”, crafted in platinum with Panama-weave strap, is an ode to a 1908 plane, one of the first mass-produced aircrafts.
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