“Go further.” Such could have been Alberto Santos-Dumont’s motto, which pushed him to invent delicate, poetic flying machines for his pleasure and that of Parisian spectators – machines that connected dreams and technology, man and sky. This is the story told by the new Cartier Santos-Dumont watches. Each of them now beats to the rhythm of the 430 MC mechanical movement with manual winding and is engraved with the original plans of Santos-Dumont himself.
The “Le Brésil” Santos-Dumont watch
Platinum case, silvered dial decorated with 12 polished metallic Roman numerals, sword-shaped hands and a ruby on the winding crown. A numbered limited edition of 100 pieces.
An exclusive status that is confirmed by the combination of the rubied winding crown and platinum case. The sophistication of the polished or brushed finishes on the surfaces and bevel underlines its precious character.
On the reverse is engraved the design of Santos- Dumont’s very first machine, “Le Brésil”, created in 1898 – “the smallest” and “the most beautiful”, according to the aviator. Its unveiling took place on 4 July 1898, after which a series of airships numbered 1 to 22 would emerge between 1898 and 1909, representing his many attempts to defy the laws of weightlessness.
The “La Baladeuse” Santos-Dumont watch
Yellow gold case, champagne dial, sapphire winding crown, blued sword-shaped hands and patinated green alligator-skin strap. A numbered limited edition of 300 pieces.
On the back is engraved the profile of “La Baladeuse” or “n°9”, an experimental-looking motorised airship in which Santos-Dumont crossed the French capital’s sky in 1903.
A small, bulging single-seater, “La Baladeuse” was intended for the personal use of its creator, who wished to demonstrate its usefulness in urban spaces. “The day will come when aerial omnibuses will transport tourists and business travellers,” insisted its creator.
The “n°14 bis” Santos-Dumont watch
The yellow gold bezel on a steel case, anthracite grey dial, blue spinel winding crown and gilded steel sword-shaped hands. A limited-edition of 500 pieces.
On the back, an engraving of “n°14 bis”. In this flying machine, often described as a ‘kite of compartments’, the pilot, standing in the fuselage, was connected to the rudder and fins by cables.
On 23 October 1906, after a day full of pitfalls, the “n°14 bis” won the Archdeacon Cup. Then, on 12 November, it took the Aéro-Club award. Alberto thus became the first aviator to complete a flight of 220 metres verified by an official organisation.
A TRIBUTE TO MASCULINE ELEGANCE: The Santos-Dumont “La Demoiselle” watch, with a lacquered wooden box and precious accessories
An extra-large-sized watch celebrating masculine elegance in 30 numbered pieces, engraved with the design of “La Demoiselle”, the most elegant of Santos’ flying machines.
This platinum watch with ruby cabochon was created in homage to Alberto Santos-Dumont, the pioneering dandy whose silhouette is inseparable from the Panama hat he was never seen without. Cartier pays tribute to this stylish accessory by using a made-to-measure Panama-weave strap. On the dial, the central square also evokes the woven design. As a detail for connoisseurs, the “Cartier” signature traditionally slipped into one of the branches of the VII is replaced by a “Santos”.
Created in 1908, “La Demoiselle” is Alberto Santos-Dumont’s most accomplished flying machine, and one of the first aircraft to be mass-produced. With it began a new era: “And we will sail through the air seeing Europe unfold at our feet like a geographical map. There we will remain, suspended between the stars and the earth.”
Alberto Santos-Dumont
This pioneer of aviation belongs to a brilliant line of men who changed the world with the strength of their independence and perseverance.
After he met Louis Cartier in 1900 their ensuing friendship was a catalyst for progress. In 1901 the aviator complained of his difficulty checking the time on his pocket watch while flying. Three years later Louis Cartier revolutionised watchmaking by inventing the first purpose-designed modern wristwatch for Santos-Dumont.
Created in 1904, the wristwatch was the product of experimentation by two visionaries and friends, Louis Cartier and Alberto Santos-Dumont.
Cartier Santos-Dumont Limited-Edition engraved watches Technical Specifications
Calibre 430MC
- manufacture mechanical manual winding movement
- Encasing diameter: 9 lines
- Total dimensions: 20.5 mm
- Thickness: 2.15 mm
- Number of jewels: 18
- Frequency: 21’600 vibrations/hour
- Power reserve: 38 hours
Cartier “Le Brésil” Santos-Dumont
- Large model, 43.5 x 31.4 mm,
- thickness: 7.3 mm
- Platinum
- Crown set with a ruby cabochon
- Grey alligator leather strap
- Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
Cartier “La Baladeuse” Santos-Dumont
- Large model, 43.5 x 31.4 mm,
- thickness: 7.3 mm
- 18K yellow gold
- Crown set with a sapphire cabochon
- Green alligator leather strap
- Limited and numbered edition of 300 pieces
Cartier “n°14 bis” Santos-Dumont
- Large model, 43.5 x 31.4 mm,
- thickness: 7.3 mm
- 18K yellow gold and steel
- Crown set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon
- Grey alligator leather strap
- Limited edition of 500 pieces
Cartier Santos-Dumont “La Demoiselle”
- Extra-large model, 46.6 x 33.9 mm,
- thickness: 7.5 mm
- Platinum
- Crown set with a ruby cabochon
- Two straps, panama fabric and brown alligator leather
Cartier Santos-Dumont Limited-Edition engraved watches Gallery
