This year, Cartier is once again giving its classic Santos de Cartier watch series a fresh look. The spotlight is on two striking new models — the matte titanium version and the black luminous dial version, each representing a different aspect of material and visual appeal. These designs continue the brand’s century-long tradition of blending practicality for aviation with elegant wrist adornment.
Since its inception in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the Santos series has been recognized for its clear structure, exposed screws, and square case, evolving continuously with mechanical performance and wearing comfort. The latest release, the titanium version (CRWSSA0089), breaks new ground on this foundation with a completely matte micro-sandblasted finish, creating a striking contrast to the brand’s typical polished aesthetic, complemented by a black spinel crown that exudes a more understated yet modern quality. This material is 43% lighter than stainless steel and offers 1.5 times the hardness, not only ensuring a lighter wearing experience but also enhancing durability and scratch resistance, paving a new path for material innovation in the Santos series.
Meanwhile, the steel version (CRWSSA0096) introduces Super-Luminova® luminescence technology to the Santos collection for the first time. The inner circle of the black dial features a vertical satin finish, while the outer circle showcases a sunburst pattern, with these two distinct finishes intertwined for enhanced dimensionality. Complemented by green luminescent hands and Roman numeral markers, this watch maintains excellent readability even in low-light conditions, allowing this collection—known for its urban elegance—to showcase a more noticeable sporty flair.
Both new watches feature a bold case design with a diameter of 39.8mm and a thickness of 9.38mm. They’re equipped with Cartier’s in-house automatic movement, the 1847 MC, which includes hour, minute, second, and date displays, along with an impressive 42-hour power reserve. This movement boasts an anti-magnetic protective structure and offers a QuickSwitch system for easy strap changes, making daily styling a breeze.
