Cartier unveils the dashing Santos-Dumont Skeleton with a new in-house movement. The Maison welcomes luscious blue lacquer in the limited edition timepiece while bidding adieu to subtlety


Gone are the days when Cartier’s iconic Santos Dumont watch was understated. The inventive overhaul now witnesses the elegant timepiece donning a specially developed 9629 MC automatic skeleton caliber, albeit staying true to the elegance of the original 1904 model. For Watches & Wonders, the watchmaker has released the Santos-Dumont Skeleton in a trio of metals. All three iterations share details like discernable screws, a beaded crown topped with blue cabochon, a skeleton movement, and a miniaturized functional oscillating replica of the Demoiselle, a trailblazing plane designed by Alberto Santos Dumont in 1907.


The only difference is the case; while the limited edition is made of gold (limited to 150 examples), the other two colorways (rose gold and stainless steel)are offered with steel cases. All three versions feature a case measuring 31mm and 8mm in thickness though it is easy to guess which one is a favorite. The Brazilian aeronaut, sportsman, and inventor inspired Cartier’s aesthetic and technical tribute. The Maison has set unprecedented skill levels with the new micro-rotor caliber that took almost two years to develop and comprises 212 components.

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The showstopper of the collection- the limited edition in yellow gold and navy lacquer timepiece features lacquered bezel and case boasting skeleton bridges, all painstakingly hand-crafted to look breathtaking. The watch also exhibits Cartier’s signature blue cabochon and blue steel hands, perfectly complemented by a dark blue alligator strap. Unlike the steel counterparts, the chic yellow gold Santos Dumont watch is limited to 150 numbered pieces. The watch is water resistant upto 30 meters, with a power reserve of 44 hours.

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