Vintage Eye for the Modern Guy: Carter Santos 2018

The Santos collection is named for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who received the first of these watches in 1904 from his friend Louis Cartier to assist with in-flight timekeeping The newest collection, known officially as the Santos De Cartier Watch, has twelve different models offered in "Medium" and "Large" sizing at 35.1-mm and 39.8-mm, respectively Each of the watches uses a square-style Santos case, and - with the exception of the two rose-gold models- are strapped on what has become the very recognizable "Screw-punctuated" bracelet that has been associated with the Santos since it was first used in 1978.

Within the screw-down bezel, which mirrors the dimensions of the case, is the familiar dial configuration of the Santos line - with black, italicized Roman numerals printed on the outer edge, an square-shaped inner minutes "Ring" cleanly framing the central, blued steel sword hands indicating the time Behind the solid, screwed down caseback of the Santos models is the automatic in-house Caliber 1847 MC The movement hosts a 42-hour power reserve, and is optimized for the non-date models of the watch to avoid an excessive crown position.

If we're to properly compare the Santos model to its vintage predecessors, it's appropriate not only to view it in parallel to the early models of the 1910s, but to the revamped design of the 1970s which is frequently considered a milestone in terms of design for the collection While the contemporary piece is easily identifiable within the historical Santos line, it features a number of differences to the vintage models, and more appropriately geared toward a modern consumer, even more so than the Santos 100 line discontinued only a few years earlier. . Source