About the Cartier Santos Steel
The Cartier Santos is widely recognized as one of the first purpose-built wristwatches, created by Louis Cartier in the early twentieth century for Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a timepiece he could read without removing it from his pocket during flight. Its defining design language — a square case with exposed screws on the bezel, a Roman numeral dial, and an integrated bracelet or strap — has remained remarkably consistent across generations and is instantly recognizable today. The Santos-Dumont line refines that heritage into a slimmer, more classically proportioned silhouette suited to formal dressing, while the Santos Galbee introduced a slightly curved, ergonomic case shape that remains a collector favorite in its vintage and two-tone steel-and-gold iterations. Across all these references, stainless steel serves as the foundation material, keeping the watch both durable and versatile while allowing two-tone pairings with yellow gold or rose gold details to add warmth.
What to Look For
Buyers shopping this collection should pay close attention to case size — Santos-Dumont references are available in Small, Large, and Extra-Large proportions — and to movement type, since quartz, manual-winding, and skeleton micro-rotor calibers all appear within the same family and suit different wearing occasions and collector preferences. Dial character is another key differentiator, with silver and gray sunray dials offering a dress-watch restraint, black lacquer providing a bolder contemporary look, and the skeleton dial of the WHSA0044 showcasing mechanical architecture; two-tone models with yellow gold or pink gold bezels such as the W2SA0036 and W2SA0025 command premium interest for their versatility and iconic Cartier aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Cartier Santos and the Cartier Santos-Dumont?
The Santos-Dumont is a slimmer, more elegantly proportioned variant of the broader Santos family, designed primarily for dress wear and typically paired with an alligator leather strap rather than a bracelet. The Santos Galbee, another variant in this collection, features a slightly curved case that follows the wrist more closely and is especially sought after in vintage and two-tone steel-and-gold configurations.
Are the Cartier Santos Steel watches available brand new or only pre-owned at Bizak and Co.?
Both options are represented in this collection: references such as the WSSA0085, WSSA0068, and WHSA0044 are listed as brand new, while the Santos Galbee yellow gold and steel example is available as a pre-owned piece. All watches, regardless of condition, are authenticated before sale and ready to ship from Bizak and Co.
Which Cartier Santos Steel references have two-tone gold and steel combinations?
Several references in this collection pair a stainless steel case with gold-tone accents: the W2SA0036 features a yellow gold bezel with a gray dial, the W2SA0038 is a Santos-Dumont Small with a rose gold bezel and silver dial, and the W2SA0025 is an Extra-Large with a pink gold bezel. The vintage Santos Galbee is also offered in a classic yellow gold and steel combination with an ivory Roman dial.
Browse also: Cartier collection · stainless steel watches.
Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
