Cartier Santos Dumont Platinum WGSa0050
Arguably one of the most iconic timepieces ever, the Cartier Santos Dumont is the watch we must thank for the modern horology industry that we all know and love. Designed in 1904 as the first-ever pilot’s watch and thus the first-ever tool watch, the Cartier Santos Dumont has continued to push boundaries ever since it was strapped to the wrist of famous aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. As the story goes, Alberto asked Louis Cartier for a wristwatch that he could wear while flying, as it would be so much more practical than using his pocket watch while simultaneously trying to control his plane. Following on from that first timepiece, the Santos Dumont has grown to become a signature piece within Cartier’s iconic catalog, with it serving as the perfect canvas for Cartier to create limited edition variants that pay respect to a particular source of inspiration, with this example, the ref. WGSA0050 paying homage to the man who started it all, Alberto Santos-Dumont. A limited edition of just 100 pieces, the ref. WGSA0050 features an XL version of the Santos Dumont’s case that is made of 950 platinum and matched by an ice blue dial that boasts a wavy engraving in its recessed center and applied Arabic numerals along its chapter ring, something on the rare side for Cartier to implement. Boasting blued steel hands to match its dial, and featuring a ruby cabochon in its winding crown as is typical for Cartier’s platinum offerings, this timepiece uses contrasting colors to create a wonderfully bright and playful watch that is also intensely elegant, and with Alberto Santos-Dumont’s flying machine found on its caseback, it is also a clear celebration of Cartier heritage as well.
THE DIAL Boasting an incredibly unique display given Cartier's typically strict adherence to their own design language, the ref. WGSA0050 features a stunning ice blue dial with a sunken wavy engraving and applied Arabic numerals that break from Cartier's typical painted Roman numerals in quite spectacular fashion.
THE CONSTRUCTION Boasting the Santos Dumnont's construction in its XL sizing and made of platinum with a ruby cabochon in its winding crown, the ref. WGSA0050 brings an unrivalled air of luxury to one of the French Maison's most famous designs.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
