£6,300.00
In stock
The Cartier Santos de Cartier Large Green represents one of watchmaking’s most significant innovations, the first wristwatch designed specifically for aviators in 1904. When Louis Cartier created this timepiece for the legendary Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, he revolutionised personal timekeeping by solving a fundamental problem: allowing pilots to read the time without releasing the aircraft controls to consult a pocket watch. This large model honours that pioneering spirit through its iconic squared case, exposed screws, and distinctive graduated green dial that creates contemporary sophistication alongside historic aviation heritage.
Crafted in stainless steel with a 39.8mm case, this timepiece combines the signature Santos design language with the striking graduated green dial that has become one of Cartier’s most sought-after contemporary aesthetic choices. The mechanical Calibre 1847 MC delivers reliable automatic performance with a 40-hour power reserve, while the polished steel sword-shaped hands with luminescent material ensure optimal legibility. The innovative QuickSwitch interchangeability system and SmartLink bracelet adjustment demonstrate how Cartier continues to evolve this historic design for contemporary wearing experiences, including both steel bracelet and green alligator skin strap options.
Condition: Excellent condition
Includes: Original box and papers
Warranty: Valid until 2033
Shipping: Free UK delivery
In 1904, Louis Cartier responded to a challenge from Alberto Santos-Dumont, the pioneering Brazilian aviator who needed to consult the time while piloting his aircraft without releasing the controls to retrieve a pocket watch. This practical requirement led Cartier to create one of the first purpose-designed wristwatches, fundamentally changing how people would wear timepieces. The squared case broke convention in an era dominated by round pocket watch aesthetics, while the exposed screws, traditionally hidden in watchmaking, became signature design elements.
The Santos watch sealed the bonds of friendship between two pioneers who shared vision for technological progress and functional elegance. Santos-Dumont wore his Cartier watch during his famous flights over Paris, demonstrating aviation’s future while inadvertently establishing the wristwatch as essential equipment for modern life. The rounded angles of the dial, seamless curve of the horns, and distinctive screw details created an iconic design that has inspired countless reinterpretations while maintaining its essential character across more than a century of evolution.
The graduated green dial represents one of Cartier’s most distinctive contemporary aesthetic achievements, featuring colour transition from deeper green at the edges to lighter tones toward the centre. This gradation creates dimensional depth and visual interest that transforms the dial into dynamic surface interacting with light throughout the day. The green colour choice reflects contemporary watch collecting trends favouring distinctive dial colours beyond traditional black, white, or blue, while maintaining sophisticated elegance appropriate to Cartier’s luxury positioning.
The graduated effect requires precise manufacturing techniques to achieve consistent colour transition across production, ensuring each dial maintains uniform aesthetic quality. The green hue creates versatile wearing options, complementing both casual and formal attire while providing distinctive character that distinguishes this Santos from more common dial colours. For collectors seeking contemporary interpretation of the legendary Santos design, the graduated green dial delivers modern sophistication while honouring the timepiece’s aviation heritage through proven case architecture and functional design elements.
The QuickSwitch interchangeability system allows seamless bracelet and strap changes without tools, addressing the practical desire for versatile wearing options across different occasions and seasons. Users can switch between the steel bracelet and green alligator skin strap in seconds, transforming the watch’s character from sporty to refined without visiting watchmakers or risking damage during strap changes. This innovation demonstrates Cartier’s commitment to evolving the Santos design for contemporary lifestyles where single timepiece must serve multiple roles.
The SmartLink adjustment system enables bracelet resizing without tools by releasing individual links through an integrated mechanism, solving the common frustration of requiring professional adjustment for proper fit. This feature proves particularly valuable for wearers whose wrist size fluctuates with temperature, activity, or time of day. Combined, these systems provide unprecedented versatility and user control, allowing owners to customise their Santos experience while maintaining the watch’s refined aesthetic and structural integrity throughout various wearing scenarios and personal preferences.
The polished steel sword-shaped hands represent Cartier’s signature aesthetic refinement, featuring tapered geometry and elegant proportions that provide optimal legibility while creating visual harmony with the Santos’s architectural dial design. The sword shape, with its distinctive pointed form narrowing toward the tip, ensures clear time reading while adding sculptural elegance that distinguishes Cartier watches from utilitarian timepieces. The hands’ finishing quality reveals Cartier’s attention to details that many manufacturers overlook.
The luminescent material applied to the hands ensures visibility in low-light conditions while maintaining the refined aesthetic expected from Cartier luxury timepieces. The grey colour complementing the green dial creates sophisticated colour coordination that enhances readability without creating jarring contrast. These hands exemplify Cartier’s philosophy that functional elements should enhance aesthetic appeal rather than compromise design unity, demonstrating how luxury watchmaking encompasses every visible component rather than focusing solely on movement decoration or case materials.
The dual bracelet and strap offering addresses diverse wearing preferences and occasions without requiring separate watch purchases or aftermarket accessories. The steel bracelet provides sporty durability and versatility appropriate for daily wear across varied activities and dress codes, while the green alligator skin strap delivers luxury refinement suitable for formal occasions or when seeking softer wrist presence. This comprehensive approach ensures the Santos adapts to owner’s lifestyle rather than forcing lifestyle adaptation around single wearing option.
The matching green alligator strap creates colour-coordinated aesthetic that complements the graduated green dial, allowing seamless transition between metal bracelet’s contemporary sport character and leather strap’s traditional luxury appeal. For collectors who appreciate versatility without cluttering watch boxes with multiple similar timepieces, the dual option maximises the Santos’s utility while the QuickSwitch system makes switching between options effortless. This thoughtful inclusion demonstrates Cartier’s understanding that modern luxury watches must serve multiple roles to justify significant investment.
The graduated green dial Santos offers distinctive contemporary aesthetic that appeals to collectors seeking modern interpretation while maintaining complete Santos design DNA including exposed screws, squared case, and seamless horn integration. Traditional silver or blue dial versions provide classic elegance with broader versatility, while the green dial creates bold statement that reflects current collecting trends favouring distinctive colours. Both approaches honour Santos aviation heritage through proven case architecture and functional excellence.
The green dial particularly suits collectors who appreciate contemporary luxury aesthetics and desire timepiece that stands apart from ubiquitous traditional dial colours. The graduated colour effect creates visual interest that traditional solid colour dials cannot match, ensuring the watch maintains engaging character throughout ownership. The choice ultimately reflects personal aesthetic preferences, traditional dial colours offer timeless versatility while the graduated green celebrates Cartier’s willingness to evolve iconic designs for contemporary sensibilities without compromising the essential character that made the Santos legendary across more than a century.
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