Santos, Reference 7809 | A yellow gold and white gold wristwatch, Circa 1980

Cartier

Santos, Reference 7809

A yellow gold and white gold wristwatch, Circa 1980

Dial: white

Calibre: mechanical, jewelled

Case: 18k yellow gold and 18k white gold, case back secured by 4 screws

Case number: 71'762

Closure: black Cartier alligator strap and 18k pink gold folding clasp

Size: 24.5 mm width

Signed: case, dial and movement

Accessories: none

At the turn of the century, pioneer aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont discovered a problem: using a pocket watch while trying to fly a plane was extremely impractical, if not impossible. To solve this issue, he approached his friend Louis Cartier. Cartier designed a flat, square watch designed to be worn on the wrist and presented it to Santos-Dumont. And thus the widely acknowledged first ever wristwatch was born.

Fast forward to the present day and the Cartier Santos has become one of the brand’s most beloved and prolific models. This late century reference, produced by Cartier Paris, presents itself as a more refined and understated take on the classic design, perfect for man or woman, formal or casual.