Cartier Santos Octagon Lady - ref. 0906 - Automatic - c. 1980

Description

Françoise is always amazed by the variations Cartier can create from a single design. The Maison often plays with shapes, colours and sizes while preserving its core identity. Here is a new example, neither entirely round nor entirely square. Cartier has retained the geometric character and signature codes of the Santos, while combining a round case with an octagonal bezel.

We find once again the screwed steel insert attached to a steel case, a feature that contributed to the Santos’ success in the 1980s. In this highly geometric model, Cartier plays with symmetry by positioning the screws at the corners of the insert.

This version of the Santos is equipped with an automatic movement and comes in more compact dimensions, both practical and comfortable.

Why did Françoise choose it?

This all-steel Cartier Santos can be worn every day. It embraces a sporty look while remaining elegant, as one would expect from Cartier. The steel bracelet and slim case make it particularly comfortable on the wrist. Without a doubt, Françoise appreciates the Santos, an essential model in Cartier’s repertoire. This version revisits its codes, with a twist. Rounded watches are not the most common within Cartier’s collections.

This all-steel version is likely more understated than the two-tone models, while still maintaining a sporty aesthetic.

History

Like the Tank, the Santos is one of Cartier’s most iconic models. It was created in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his friend, the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. A pioneering watch, not only for aviation, but also in the history of watchmaking, it is considered the first wristwatch designed for men. In the 1980s, the line split into two: the Santos-Dumont, which remains faithful to the original design, and the Santos, which embraced modernity with its integrated bracelet. To this day, the Cartier Santos is available in multiple versions and continues to enjoy enduring success.