Cartier, Santos Carrée, ca 1990.

The Cartier Santos, initially crafted for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, was introduced in 1911 by Louis Cartier himself. The innovative design allowed Santos-Dumont to check the time while in the air without the need to operate a pocket watch manually. It is widely considered to be the first men's wristwatch and the first pilot's wristwatch, predating World War I and the subsequent shift from pocket watches to wristwatches.

In the 1970s, the popularity of steel sports watches prompted Cartier to update the half-century-old Santos design, resulting in the Santos de Cartier. Featuring a riveted bi-metal bracelet and a bezel in 18K yellow gold, the affordable mixed metal option quickly gained traction among watch enthusiasts in the 1980s. Despite undergoing various adaptations over the years, it remained a mainstay of Cartier's collection until its discontinuation in 2016.

Fortunately, the Santos de Cartier was reintroduced in 2018, sporting a more modern case size and refined design. Despite its long and storied history, the Cartier Santos remains a testament to Cartier's unwavering commitment to innovation and quality, continuing to capture the hearts and wrists of watch enthusiasts worldwide.