The first men’s wristwatch was a Cartier Santos, and this is watch has the automatic movement. Model reference 2961.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From comparing the serial number on the case back with other watches that still have the original papers we can date this watch to being made circa 1981. The bracelet is the later version, and that was made in 1993. The original bracelets were frankly not very good and quite fragile, so having a Version 2 bracelet is a significant advantage.
CONDITION
The story starts with early aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that he couldn’t read his pocket watch while flying in 1905. So this is not only the first men’s wristwatch, but also the first Pilots watch! It was not available to the general public until 1911, but it was still the first then. It was only available in precious metals until 1978, when the combination of the quartz crisis and the massive increase in gold prices pushed Cartier to make the Santos in steel and 18k, and this bi metal look came to be the image that most people associate with the Santos.
As the fashion was for slim watches, and automatic movements tend to be a lot thicker than quartz watches, Cartier employed a clever design trick on this reference. The edge of the case is less than 5mm thick, to meet the fashion of the time, and then the caseback has an hump to allow the rotor on the automatic works to clear. The case and bezel could be polished to remove the small scratches but we do not offer that service. The dial, hands and glass are perfect and the dial has the hidden Cartier name as it should. The movement is running beautifully. One link on the long bracelet has a small kink that we would rather live with than try and flatten – pointed out on the video. And the watch has a hidden deployant clasp – another Cartier invention – originally these were on leather straps as bracelets were not offered until 1978.
The current model is slightly larger, but at £8,650 significantly more costly.
This watch will be supplied with the original presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 32.3 mm
Width without crown 29.0 mm
Between lugs 18 mm
Lug to lug length 40.7 mm
Case Thickness 8.6 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 205 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
