About the Cartier Santos
The Cartier Santos traces its origins to 1904, when Louis Cartier designed a flat, square-cased wristwatch for his friend and Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont so he could read the time without taking his hands off the controls of his aircraft. That founding DNA, a bold square case with exposed screws on the bezel and integrated bracelet, has defined the line through every evolution since, making the Santos one of the most recognizable watch silhouettes in the world. The modern Santos family encompasses the full-size Santos with its signature interlocking steel and gold QuickSwitch bracelet system and the more formal Santos-Dumont, a thinner, tonneau-influenced case built around a quieter, dress-watch aesthetic. Precious-metal references in 18-karat rose gold and yellow gold, two-tone steel and gold combinations, diamond-bezel variants, and a rare platinum limited-edition version demonstrate the breadth of the collection and its appeal across casual, business, and formal contexts.
What to Look For
Buyers shopping the Santos line should first decide between the Santos and the Santos-Dumont, as the Santos offers a sportier, chunkier profile often paired with an integrated bracelet and available in larger case sizes around 39.8mm, while the Santos-Dumont runs slimmer and longer and is typically offered in the Small configuration with quartz movements ideal for dress-watch use. Value and price are driven heavily by case material, with steel references sitting at the accessible end of the range, two-tone and rose gold references like the WGSA0007 and WGSA0011 commanding a meaningful premium, and diamond-bezel or platinum pieces such as the WJSA0019 and WGSA0082 representing the top of the collection. Condition matters too, as brand-new sealed examples carry full Cartier paperwork while pre-owned pieces like the Santos Galbee in yellow gold and steel can offer exceptional entry points into the vintage side of the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Cartier Santos and the Cartier Santos-Dumont?
The Cartier Santos features a sportier, more robust square case, often around 39.8mm, and is commonly paired with an integrated bracelet, making it suited for both casual and business wear. The Santos-Dumont is a thinner, more elongated dress watch, typically offered in a Small case size with a quartz movement, and is usually worn on a leather strap, lending it a more formal, refined character.
Are the Cartier Santos watches at Bizak and Co. authentic and do they come with papers?
Yes, every Cartier Santos for sale at Bizak and Co. is fully authenticated before listing. Brand-new references such as the WGSA0011, WGSA0007, and WJSA0019 are supplied with their original Cartier documentation, while pre-owned pieces are clearly identified and described with available accessories noted.
Which Cartier Santos references are available in rose gold?
Several rose gold Santos references are available in this collection, including the Santos 39.8mm WGSA0011 in rose gold with a white dial and rose gold bezel, the Santos Large WGSA0007 with a silver opaline dial on a bracelet, the Santos-Dumont Small WGSA0117, and the diamond-bezel Santos-Dumont WJSA0019. Rose gold models are among the most sought-after configurations in the Santos lineup and are available here in both brand-new and ready-to-ship condition.
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Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
Shop Cartier Santos by material
White Gold · Rose Gold · Yellow Gold · Steel · Gold & Steel · Diamonds · Platinum
