Cartier Santos 100, a feast for the senses ...............................

[MALDONADO]

I decided to do the review of this reply, apart from its history, because it is a fireproof watch over time and possibly the most elegant clock that exists.

History

In 1904, the friendship between the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont and Louis Cartier French designer resulted in the creation of Santos, one of the first wristwatches in the world. 100 years later, Cartier continues to market the popular model at the time was immortalized as an icon of modern watchmaking.

Behind every invention lies a fascinating history and for the creation of the watch is no exception. But to tell the story of this useful object, you can not ignore the creation of the first plane, they are closely linked.

The real beginnings date back to the mid-nineteenth century when a Frenchman named François Dumont jeweler decided to emigrate to Brazil to try his luck. The fate led him to become the first Latin American coffee planter and accumulate a large fortune that allowed his son, Alberto Santos-Dumont, develop their curiosity about flying machines and become the unacknowledged father of aviation.

Grow a small family business called Cartier

In 1847, the French jeweler Louis-Francois Cartier in Paris founded a business to provide jewelry to the court of Napoleon III, recently came to the throne. Their quality immediately became famous, and expanded its production to the manufacture of fine tea sets, dishes and jewelry, which earned him an immense fortune.

Then Alfred, the son of Louis-Francois Cartier took over the family business and introduced the novelty of pocket watches, which freaked the Paris of the late nineteenth century. But in the early twentieth century, the grandson of the founder of the family business, Louis Cartier, marked the ultimate success of this famous house, for the wristwatch created a unique piece that established Cartier as a universal brand. The best proof is that today, a hundred years later, Cartier remains one of the houses of jewelry and watches in the world.

Las historias de Santos-Dumont y Louis Cartier se entrelazan

In 1900, Louis Cartier met Alberto Santos Dumont, who immediately became a close friend, and here is where the two stories, the famous aviator and the famous jeweler, intersect to produce a completely unexpected result: the invention of wristwatch.

In 1901, three years before the first flight of Santos-Dumont 14bis, was aboard his airship No. 6, trying to earn a reward of 100,000 francs, to make a return trip from the Parc Saint Cloud to the Eiffel Tower in less than 30 minutes. When he landed the judges said they would give the verdict in an event to be held that evening.

Santos-Dumont waited anxiously until he came to Maxim's exclusive restaurant, where the cream of Parisian society, among whom was Louis Cartier, of course, cheered and cheered by his record. The odd thing is that Santos-Dumont, obviously thrilled to have won the award, said to Louis Cartier was surprised he did not know if he had won because he was unable to time while in the air, as in the it was impossible to remove the airship hands on the remote to watch your watch. Louis Cartier promised her friend to help you find a solution to their problem and so, as this tasteful designer gave to Santos-Dumont a flat square watch and gold, which was attached to the wrist by a leather strap and a buckle. Watch The impact was such that in a short time Louis Cartier began producing in series under the name of Cartier Santos.

The Cartier Santos watch again produced in 1979 and continued in production until now, maintaining the highest standards of quality maintained when Louis Cartier created the watch to his friend almost a century ago. The first copy of the new series was donated by the manufacturer to del'Air Musée de Paris, and exposed next to the last aircraft designed, built and flown by Santos Dumont: the 1908 Demoiselle

¿Qué fue de Santos-Dumont?

We all know what happened to Cartier. But what about Santos-Dumont? In 1909, he returned to Brazil. His whole life was in love with the idea of ​​creating an aircraft that was able to bridge the gap, transporting passengers, mail delivery and promote the union of nations, but the First World War gave birth to a very different reality. Santos had to witness the horror of seeing their planes were used as bombers killing of thousands of people. So, just three days after having served 59 years, hanged himself with his own tie disgusted and disappointed that he use his invention.

[MALDONADO]

the clock

The Santos de Cartier do not need any introduction. As discussed in history, was designed by Louis Cartier for aviation pioneer and gentleman-playboy Santos Dummont. It is one of the first wristwatches for men of history. Since then at the very moment of its creation have elevated to cult icon he is today.

General appearance

The Saints are one of those watches that can be recognized in a heartbeat. The design radiates a delicate kind of masculinity that sets it apart from the crowd. This makes it very versatile. From jeans, suit, the saints always up to scratch, this is as casual or as large as we like ourselves.

Features of my replica

Purchased Lacenta is one of the best versions.

Elegant timepiece, perfect finished, Gen. 1:1

Movimiento: Swiss Eta 2824-2 Automatic Movement. 25J , 28800bph

Diámetro: Width 38.5mm x Ht 38.5mm

Espesor: 13,0mm

Cristal: Zafiro

box

Cartier is often understood as a brand by jewelers and this is evident when examining the box, a jewelry made of steel. The box is brushed apart from the edges, which are polished. This results in the typical design of the saints, distinguished by the reflection of light at the edges. Another part of the case is polished bezel, this gives the watch a bolder appearance and also makes it look a little bigger. The Saints is a large watch but .. around the wrist is filled with an amazing masculinity. The case and crystal are slightly curved to ensure a perfect match to the wrist.

It seems childish, but one of the main attractions of the cartier is and remains the blue faceted spinelcabochon inserted into the crown, in this model is cut into faces and lives like a king with a crown protected by two men emerge gracefully from the box.

Dial - Saetas

The white dial with black Roman numerals Cartier, blend seamlessly with steel and polished screws of the bracelet. The area also benefits from the lack of timestamp window, resulting in a more balanced look.

The sword-shaped bolts and fitted to perfection luminova connect with Roman numerals on the dial. Short is a feast for the eyes.

bracelet

The bracelet is often where the clocks marked differences. Successful watches often owe their success partly to the excellent design of the bracelet, this is the case of the saints. The design is so sophisticated and intelligent that we do not realize it, but it feels so natural links to the shape of the wrist, which gives the feeling that we have made ​​and one piece of steel. Also the design of the bracelet with its links brushed and polished screws fit so well that it almost seems saints that the watch has an integrated bracelet.

To complement the set is equipped with a butterfly type closure is one of the most elegant closures comfortable and confident that they have passed through my hands.

strap

The strap is a bit peculiar and unique to this clock, the two sides are equal. It is quite difficult to mount the strap to close, but once assembled is pretty good, highlight the closure is aesthetically equal to the bracelet.

Thanks for reading ... ... ... ... ... ... ....

[rrari1]

Is this a rep or the gen you are reviewing?

[MALDONADO]

rep 1:1

But it seems that nobody likes, nobody reads O

Edited November 27, 2012 by MALDONADO

[txcollector]

many dealers claim 1:1. Is that the $1500 version? if yes it should have an ETA 2892 movement though.

 

I love my Santos franken. Very versatile. 

 

One addition to the story (interesting read btw): the wrist watch already existed for almost 2 decades as a women jewelry item. They were more decorative than precision machines. Constant Girard had created a wrist watch for the German Kaiser army which were mainly pocket watches attached to pieces of leather (strap). The use of that kind of watch was so the troops could coordinate attacks without having to signal that could alert the enemy (of course holding a musket while checking your pocket watch wasn't practical). 

 

The problem Santos Dumont posed to Cartier was how to make a wrist watch that was a reliable timing machine for scientific purposed. Pocket watches made poor wrist watches because they were precise on only one position (standing up in your vest pocket). When you move your wrist around and worse go up in a balloon temperature and wrist position changes made them unreliable. 

 

So the big contribution Lois Cartier made was to create a watch movement that could was precise enough to be worn on the wrist. This is the original Santos

 

[Inertiadrifter]

Great review and awesome watch. Quick question: Does the SS bracelet fit the GEN Santos 100? I have a gEN santos on rubber and wanted to put the REP SS bracelet Any help is greatly appreciated

[Elchino]

Very interesting and complete article, it´s a beautiful piece what you have. I own a  gen steel-gold  Santos Galbée and it´s been always my favorite watch, but reading your post i'm considering to buy the same piece, looks great! Where did you get it from? Andrew´s?

Best regards from Mexico.

 

[Determine]

@ Maldonado

 

Now that is stunning! And your photogaphy is amazing! Thank you so much for such a informative review! I was at the AD looking at this model lately, and must say yours is spot on. A feast for the eyes! Blessings

 

D

[jeff g]

Not to worry about nobody looking.

Most here are not interested in fine watches, but rather whats hot in the sports watch category.

The Cartier is a beautiful timepiece, and always will be appreciated by those who love fine swiss timepieces.

The Santos is a classic. Your photos and reviews of this watch are superb.

Thank you so much for the great thread.

Much appreciated I assure you.

Edited December 3, 2012 by jeff g

[ninjaturtles]

Thank you for the write up!