Santos - The Birth of the First Men’s Wristwatch

Santos de Cartier, the first ever wristwatch created for men,  was born in 1904, making its heritage over a century long. This first-of-its-kind timepiece was adorned on wrists long before most popular brands in the world of luxury wristwatches came into existence.

So, what led to the birth of this popular icon?

In the early 20th century, a Brazilian aviation pioneer living in Paris, named Alberto Santos-Dumont, dedicated his life to aeronautical study and experimentation. Santos-Dumont, during his flying experiments and journeys, was hindered by the unreliability and impracticality of pulling out his pocket watch to monitor the time and fly simultaneously. For help he turned to his friend, Louis Cartier, the grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier and this led to the birth of the first men’s wristwatch!

Alberto Santos-Dumont, Credit: Fédération Aéronautique Internationale

It is believed that Cartier drew inspiration for the case from a traditional square pocket watch from the brand’s previous creations. Its rounded square case was conceived to be robust and eight bezel screws that secured the glass were intended to recall the legs of the recently erected Eiffel Tower. The dial featured highly legible Roman numerals for the hours, a distinctive characteristic of most modern Cartier watches, and can be seen as a precursor to the Art Deco movement, which combined modern styles with fine craftsmanship and rich materials.

A celebrity of the era, Santos Dumont wore the watch every time he flew. Coupled with his flamboyant personality, it wasn’t long before many noticed a beautiful timepiece on his wrist. Queries flooded in from curious customers. Louis Cartier recognised the opportunity immediately to create a practical alternative to the fashionable pocket watch by commercialising the first wristwatch for men and, in turn, revolutionising the way in which the world saw time 

Today, the Santos de Cartier has shot to the top of the wish list of many dapper gentlemen. Cartier has many variations of the Santos available that include an array of case materials  and bracelet styles that cater to different tastes. The key traits, however, stay true to its heritage and are shared across all the models.

If you are looking to explore or learn more about Cartier Santos watches in Dubai, please do get in touch with us!!