Cartier's Santos adds a second time zone reading function to the catalogue, and the Santos-Dumont Rewind reads time backwards.
It was in 1904 when aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend Louis Cartier for a watch that could be easily consulted in flightwhich pocket watches did not allow. Thus CartierWith the help of master watchmaker Edmond Jaeger, he created a watch with a leather strap for his friend, a material that was quite unusual in watchmaking at the time. Thus was born what would later become a true myth in watchmaking, the Santosstill today an example of a perfect combination of elegance and design.
It is immediately recognisable, especially by the shape of the case, which is square with rounded corners. It seems almost strange, however, that an aviator's watch, easily able to switch from one time zone to another, had not yet received a GMT function in the revamped collection. This is why the new Santos Dual Time seems to us the element that could not be missed. In line with the 2018 restyling, the slimmer bezel emphasises ergonomics, the iconic square steel case (40.2 x 47.5 mm) features a polygonal crown with protective straps and with the characteristic facetted blue synthetic spinel cabochon.
Santos Dual Time displays a second time zone at 6 o'clock
The interchangeability system of the QuickSwitch bracelet is patented by Cartier.
On the sunbrushed anthracite grey dial of the Santos Dual Time, reading the second time zone is immediate thanks to the counter at 6 o'clock light grey with day/night indication. The practical patented QuickSwitch system allows the bracelet to be replaced with an anthracite alligator strap; an invisible mechanism built into the case is activated by a simple pressure.
This is complemented by another Cartier patent, the SmartLink system, which allows the length of the bracelet to be adjusted independently and without the use of additional tools. Each SmartLink link has a button that allows the fixing bar to be pulled out and removed or added. The movement is automatic.
Price10,100 euro.
Santos-Dumont Rewind: time in reverse
Cartier makes a reverse-winding movement.
In the Santos Dumont line, Cartier with the Rewind version presents an unprecedented reading of time. In appearance, an elegant carnelian dial with Roman numerals and a rhodium-plated pomme hand. On closer inspection, however, one realises that indices are inverted (only digits XII and VI occupy their conventional position) and the hour hands turn at the contrary.
All thanks to the manual 230 MC calibre with reverse winding. With a platinum case and a semi-opaque brown alligator strap, is produced in a limited edition of 200.
Price42,300 euro.
