Unveiled at the SIHH watch tradeshow in 2018, the Santos de Cartier Skeleton has quickly become a fan favourite from the brand. The example we are presenting for sale is in excellent, near-new condition and is from 2023. The watch is accompanied by its original box, papers, and accessories.
Condition Report:
Purchased earlier this year, the watch is in excellent condition. The stainless steel case measures 39.8mm in diameter with a thickness of 9.08 mm, making it suitable for many wrists. The manually wound Caliber. 9611 MC is on full display through its skeleton construction and offers connoisseurs an insight into the inner workings of its movement and architecture. Impressively, the skeleton architecture maintains the iconic Cartier Roman numerals by integrating them into the movement. The movement consists of a total of 138 parts, including 20 rubies. Blue sword hands mark the hour and minutes. There are only minor hairline scratches and handling marks around the case.
The watch comes on its original brushed stainless steel bracelet, which features Cartier's "SmartLink" system with full links; also included is a spare alligator leather strap with an interchangeable deployant buckle. The sapphire crown winds well and sits subtly at 3 o'clock. Accompanying the watch are its original box, papers, booklets, and accessories.
Cartier Santos History:
The Cartier Santos dates back to 1904, when Louis Cartier created a watch for his good friend, a Brazilian aviator by the name of Alberto Santos-Dumont. The square case design was unique for the time, and the exposed screws around the bezel held the glass in place and were intended to resemble the legs of the Eiffel Tower. Combined with a highly legible dial, it enabled early pilots to quickly read the time in the busy, open-air cockpits of early aeroplanes.
