In the history of human aviation, the names of the Wright brothers are often mentioned, and their flight breakthroughs in the United States have attracted much attention. However, in France at the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a gentleman who loved flying – Alberto Santos-Dumont. Santos-Dumont loved mechanics and was known for his elegant fashion. He has tried to set a number of flight records, from hot air balloons, spaceships to helicopters, and his passion and desire for flying continue to push him forward. Santos-Dumont's flight story has long been known to people in Europe, and in his native Brazil, he is regarded as the true father of aviation.
In 1904, most of the pocket watches at that time were hung on the waist, which was inconvenient for Santos-Dumont who was flying in the air. He needed a watch that could quickly watch the time in the air. So Santos-Dumont's friend Louis Cartier designed him a watch specially made for men, called Santos de Cartier. This is not the first watch ever to come out, but its innovative design makes it easier for pilots to use in the air, marking a turning point in the history of watches. The appearance of this watch is simple and smooth, the movement is precise and reliable, and the classic flying watch design has not only become one of the representatives of Cartier, but also an important witness of fashion and aviation history.
The Santos de Cartier series has been passed down for a hundred years. Before Cartier became famous, this watch full of stories and innovative spirit had already been adorned on the wrist of Santos-Dumont.
Cartier launched a new Santos-Dumont skeleton watch this year, once again striving for innovation on top of the classics, pursuing perfection in craftsmanship, and icing on the cake in design. This watch uses a newly designed 9629 MC skeleton self-winding movement, which consists of 212 parts and took nearly two years to develop. The brand-new micro-rotor movement is commonly known as "Pearl Tuo", which is small in size and works well on ultra-thin watches. The biggest feature of the watch is its hollowed-out movement, allowing you to directly appreciate the dynamics of the movement when it is running automatically.
The appearance of the Santos-Dumont hollowed-out model is even more amazing, and there are currently three color schemes. The strap is made of crocodile leather, and the case is made of rose gold or stainless steel. The sapphire crystal bottom cover, the blue steel hands shining with metallic luster and the bead-shaped stone-set crown implement Cartier's luxurious aesthetics. The limited edition bezel and case are made of 18K gold and navy blue lacquer, which perfectly interprets the fashion concept of simplicity and elegance. All details are lacquered, including the lacquered skeletonized bridges, and the handwork is extremely delicate.
The most commemorative value in the whole design must be the La Demoiselle monoplane rotor on the lower left. La Demoiselle was the last aircraft Santos-Dumont designed and the last aircraft he flew in his flying career. The design of the dial is integrated into this miniature monoplane. Whenever the time passes and the minutes and seconds pass by, this ingenuity makes people seem to look up and see La Demoiselle passing in the sky, recreating the graceful appearance of the Santos-Dumont hand-worn watch. figure.
Today, the Santos series has become a Cartier classic. However, just like the protagonist of the story, Alberto Santos-Dumont, the brand will not seal up a century-old history, but be brave in innovation and constantly introduce new ones. The new Santos-Dumont watch launched this year, combined with finer craftsmanship and more dazzling design, reinterprets this legendary flight story. The classic never fades, and the spirit of bold innovation and eternal elegance it carries is the most valuable part of the collection.
