Editor-in-Chief Masamasa Hirota's thoughts on SIHH 2019 ①

Cartier Santos-Dumont specsCLICK HERE!

An unexpected surprise: Cartier's Santos-Dumont

　I'm quite fond of ordinary, practical watches. People often say to me, "I don't understand Hirota's tastes," but I'm originally a salaryman. It's understandable that I like practical watches. Of course, I also like outstandingly complicated watches, but for me, practical watches are the most realistic. At the 2019 SIHH, I was able to see many watches that suited my tastes. One that particularly caught my eye was Cartier's new Santos-Dumont.

　Cartier once dominated the market with its affordable quartz watches. I still think the Tank Française is an excellent watch. It's not expensive, but it's well-balanced as a watch—the watch and bracelet match perfectly—and, above all, it's cool. The new Santos-Dumont continues that tradition. It uses a quartz movement instead of a mechanical one. However, the battery life has been extended to about six years, and the case is thinner. What's more, the case is very well made, as is typical of Cartier today.

　What's noteworthy about this watch is the clever packaging. By redesigning the bezel to be three-dimensional and narrowing the middle case, the entire watch has a three-dimensional feel despite its thinness. If it had been fitted with a mechanical movement, it would not have been possible to use such a thin case.

　The design, which can be seen as both sporty and formal, is also clever. With the extended lugs and narrowed indices, this watch looks like a formal watch. However, the strap is almost straight, making it look like a sports watch. In addition, the alligator finish has been changed from gloss to matte, making it suitable for casual wear. The strap is narrow compared to the watch itself (Cartier today would probably offer a slightly thicker strap), but this is both an homage to the original and a new proposal that it can be worn by both men and women.

　The Santos-Dumont boasts a design that can be used in any situation, a high-quality exterior that is typical of Cartier today, unisex packaging, and even the Cartier logo. And what's more, the price is 397,500 yen for the stainless steel LM size. Honestly, I was expecting something like the Tank Solo (readers will understand what I'm talking about), but the actual watch exceeded my expectations. I would recommend this watch to enthusiasts who are tired of searching for a high-quality practical watch, as well as anyone looking for a high-quality watch that can be used for everyday wear. I think it's perfectly reasonable to buy one and use it as a pair.