Cartier has introduced a quartet of engraved Santos-Dumont limited editions. The watch is best known for being the first pilot’s watch in the world. The new models are now powered by a mechanical movement. Furthermore, they feature engravings with the original plans of Santos-Dumont, as the famous pilot – and Parisian fashion icon – worked to create a flying machine. Cartier’s four engraved Santos-Dumont limited edition models are: ‘La Demoiselle’, Le 14 bis’, ‘Le Brésil’, and ‘La Baladeuse’.
‘Le Brésil’, ‘La Baladeuse’, and ‘Le 14 bis’ are housed in a large 43.5 x 31.4 mm. However, ‘La Demoiselle’ is housed an extra large 46.6 x 33.9 mm case. Both ‘Le Brésil’ and ‘La Demoiselle’ have a platinum case. Meanwhile, ‘La Baladeuse’ is housed in an 18-carat gold case, and the ‘No. 14 bis’ has a bi-colour case made from 18-carat gold and stainless steel. Naturally, all of the case bezels feature the line’s hallmark exposed screws, and the crowns are set with either a sapphire or ruby cabochon.
The four models have varying dials, all of which are protected by sapphire crystal. ‘Le Brésil’ features a silvered dial with 12 polished metallic Roman numerals. The watch’s sword-shaped hands are black. Meanwhile, ‘La Baladeuse’ has a champagne coloured dial and blue sword-shaped hands. ‘Le 14 bis’ has an anthracite grey dial, gilded steel sword-shaped hands. Finally, ‘La Demoiselle‘ features an ecru dial which aims to evoke its matching Panama-weave strap in the centre. This is because Santos-Dumont was rarely seen without his Panama hat. It also features black pomme hands. Additionally, the hidden Cartier signature in the ‘VII’ – at 7 o’clock – has been replaced with ‘Santos’.
Unlike previous quartz versions in the line, the hand-wound mechanical movement powering the engraved watches is the brand’s 430 MC, which uses Piaget’s 430P as its base. It offers a power reserve of 38 hours, has a frequency of 3 Hz and also incorporates 18 jewels.
‘Le 14 bis’ is presented on a grey alligator strap, is limited to 500 pieces, and costs 6,950 euros. ‘Le Brésil’ also comes with a grey alligator strap, is a limited edition of 100 pieces, and costs 17,900 euros. The ‘La Baladeuse’ has a green alligator strap, is a limited edition of 300 pieces, and costs 13,700 euros. Meanwhile, ‘La Demoiselle’ comes with two differing straps: one made with Panama fabric, and one with brown alligator leather. Furthermore, it comes in a lacquered maple box with a linen canvas and a Chamel Eco Black interior. It is a limited edition of 30 pieces and costs at 41,900 euros. Cartier’s four engraved Santos-Dumont limited edition watches are available in Cartier boutiques from July onwards.
FEATURES
| BRAND: | Cartier |
| MODEL: | Santos-Dumont Engraved Limited Editions |
| REFERENCE: | n/a |
| CASE MATERIAL: | ‘Le Brésil’ and ‘La Demoiselle’: platinum ‘La Baladeuse’: 18-carat gold ‘Le 14 bis’: 18-carat gold, stainless steel. |
| DIMENSIONS: | ‘Le Brésil’, ‘La Baladeuse’, ‘Le 14 bis’: 43.5 x 31.4 mm Height: 7.3 mm ‘La Demoiselle’: 46.6 x 33.9 mm Height: 7.5 mm |
| WATER RESISTANCE: | n/a |
| DIAL: | ‘Le Brésil’: silvered ‘La Baladeuse’: champagne ‘Le 14 bis’: anthracite grey ‘La Demoiselle’: Ecru with central weave pattern |
| STRAP/BRACELET: | ‘Le Brésil’: grey alligator leather ‘La Baladeuse’: green alligator leather ‘Le 14 bis’: grey alligator leather ‘La Demoiselle’: Panama fabric or brown alligator leather |
| MOVEMENT: | 430 MC |
| MOVEMENT TYPE: | Manual-winding, mechanical |
| POWER RESERVE: | 38 |
| FREQUENCY: | 21,600 vph / 3 Hz |
| FUNCTIONS: | Hours, minutes |
| PRICE: | ‘Le 14 bis’: EUR 6,950, limited to 500 pieces ‘Le Brésil’: EUR 17,900, limited to 100 pieces ‘La Baladeuse’: EUR 13,700, limited to 300 pieces ‘La Demoiselle’: EUR 41,900, limited to 30 pieces |