Cartier Santos 100 W20090X8 XL – Timepiece of the Week

Taking over his master’s workshop, Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847, amidst the subversive times of the ongoing French revolution. With the rise of the Second Empire, Cartier’s business grew over a decade, with the opening of the first Cartier boutique in 1859. Louis-François’ son Alfred then took over the business, moving it to the prestigious rue de la Paix in the jewelry district of Paris. Alfred’s own sons expanded the Cartier brand overseas, to London and New York.

Alfred’s third son remained behind in Paris to continue the growth of Cartier at home. His revolutionary ideas, such as using platinum in jewelry, earned Cartier the title of ‘Jeweller of Kings, King of Jewellers’ from King Edward VII. The celebrity endorsements didn’t stop there, with Louis’ friend Alberto Santos-Dumont commissioning a watch to wear while piloting his lighter-than-air dirigible. Santos-Dumont’s celebrity status made the wrist-worn watch, uncommon at the time, a must-have fashion accessory among men.

In 1904, Louis Cartier made a special watch for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian aviator who needed a timekeeper he could check without taking his hands off the controls of his early aircraft. Cartier obliged, making Santos-Dumont a little gold watch with exposed screws and a square profile. Since then, Santos remained one of the most known Cartier’s watch model.

This week we are presenting you the Cartier Santos 100 XL W20090X8, an elegant men’s watch. Fitted in the 41x51mm stainless steel case, Cartier Santos 100 XL is one of largest Cartier watches.

  • Reference: W20090X8
  • Movement: Automatic
  • Case Material: Stainless steel
  • Case Diameter: 41 x 51 mm
  • Dial: Silver
  • Functions: Chronograph, Date
  • Complications: Small Seconds, Luminescent Hands, Screw-Down Crown, Quick Set, Only Original Parts
  • Band: Black leather strap with a stainless steel fold clasp

Includes: Watch, original box and papers.
Condition: Pre-owned, in excellent and working condition.

Cartier history source: cartier.com

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