The passion to create something new is always backed by the will to go a step further and make it better than before. Cartier did wonders with its Santos line of watches at the SIHH last year breathing new life into the classic collection. Despite rolling out a series of references every year, Cartier is the one brand, that justifies each release extremely well.
A revamped Santos line made a splashing debut at SIHH 2019; with stunning new chronographs, time only and skeletonised versions. Here are our top 3 Santos de Cartier Watches of SIHH 2019.
Cartier Santos Chronograph in Stainless Steel and 18K Yellow Gold
First up is the new Cartier Santos Chronograph in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold. Offered in what Cartier calls an ‘Extra-Large’ size, the case is 43.3mm in diameter and 12.5mm thick. The curved lugs, soft contours and round edges maintain the watch’s elegance factor, despite the large case size. The start/stop rectangular pusher is now on the left side of the case and the reset function is integrated into the crown itself; a welcome change in the new Santos Chronograph models.
The dial features a silver brushed texture with Roman numerals in bold. At 3 o clock and 9 o clock you have the 30-second and 12-hour registers. The date window is strategically placed at 6 o’clock along with the seconds sub-dial. A1904-CH MC -manufacture calibre powers the new Santos Chronographs; the same base movement Cartier used in their 2012 Calibre de Cartier Chronograph. Only this time the movement has been slightly modified to align the pusher on the left side of the case.
Cartier takes a keen interest in the little details. The bracelet for instance features 18K yellow gold screws on either side of the links. ‘SmartLink’ allows the wearer to adjust the length of the bracelet without any tools.
Price: RRP $20,100 Australian Dollars
Cartier Santos Skeleton ADLC “Noctambule” (Night Owl)
Maison Cartier is not just a personification of austerity, but innovation too. The new Cartier Santos Skeleton ADLC “Noctambule” (Night Owl) is by far ‘THE’ most impressive member of the Santos family. Night Owl because the watch automatically glows in the dark. Distinctive in its own right, the watch has been stripped to bare essentials, to the point where there is pretty much no dial and the base plate is in the shape of roman numerals. The bridges are coated with Super-Luminova which makes it light up in the dark. The 42mm stainless steel case is coated with ADLC, a high-quality carbon-based coating characterized by its diamond-like properties… Hence the black sheen. A hand-wound cal. 9612 MC movement beats inside the watch, offering a power reserve of 3 days.
Just like the previous models, the new Cartier Santos Skeleton ADLC “Noctambule” features a “QuickSwitch” strap removal mechanism and is delivered with a black and grey crocodile strap instead of a metal bracelet.
Price: RRP $37,500 Australian Dollars
Santos de Cartier Large with Gradient Blue Dial
Distinguished by a gradient blue dial blue, this is clearly one of the best-looking watches of 2019. Seeing Cartier put this kind of flair on a somewhat serious watch, makes this new release a very exciting proposition. We love the whole relaxed luxury theme going on here. Masterfully designed and extremely well thought out, the watch features a 39.8mm square shaped stainless steel case. The screws on the bezel and either side of the links on the bracelet are classic Santos and are always very refreshing to look at. Contrasting with the gradient blue dial are silvered indexes and hands and a date window at 6 o clock in black. The hour and minute hands are filled with Super-Luminova. Beating inside the watch is an in-house Calibre 1847 MC movement which delivers a comfortable power reserve of 48 hours. Cartier’s “QuickSwitch” technology allows the wearer to change / swap their strap by simply pressing a tab and sliding the strap out.
Price: RRP $9,600 Australian Dollars
