The Watch
As the story goes, in 1904, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to friend Louis Cartier about the unreliability and impracticality of using a pocket watch while flying. Cartier designed a flat wristwatch with a square bezel and the watch eventually caught on with other customers. When the Santos-Dumont watch hit shelves in 1911, it was offered in a variety of platinum and yellow gold models with a movement from Jaeger inside.
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In 1987, the Santos was completely revised, renamed, and relaunched as the Santos Galbée. The case lost its boxy looks and became more curved around the lugs, fitting better on the wrist than the original Santos.
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This particular Galbée came back from the Cartier Service Centre last month (suffering from minor water damage), where it underwent a full revamp. The Guilloché Dial and Blue Steel Hands were damaged and have been replaced with like for like, the Crown was missing the Cabochon and has also been replaced. The Case has been brilliantly refinished, so not to lose any bevels on the case, the Case has also been resealed for Water Resistance up to 30m. The Movement was fully serviced and is running like a dream. These works come with the remainder of the 2 year Cartier Warranty.
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Accompanied by Service Papers, Receipt and Cartier Service Pouch/Bag.
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View this Galbée in a video: here
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The Specs
Age: c.2000s.
Reference: 2319.
Calibre: 120.
Movement: Automatic with Hacking Seconds and Quickset Date.
Timekeeping: Keeping Excellent time.
Service History: Fully Serviced by Cartier December 2023.
Dial: Cartier Guilloché Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel and 18k Gold.
Case Size: 29mm. 41mm End of Lug to Lug.
Movement: Automatic with Hacking Seconds and Quickset Date.
Timekeeping: Keeping Excellent time.
Service History: Fully Serviced by Cartier December 2023.
Dial: Cartier Guilloché Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel and 18k Gold.
Case Size: 29mm. 41mm End of Lug to Lug.
Bezel: Solid 18k Gold.
Water Resistant?: Yes, 30m.
Hands: Cartier Blued-Steel Handset.
Crystal: Original Sapphire Crystal.
Crown: Cartier Crown Set with a Synthetic Cabochon-Shaped Spinel.
Strap/Bracelet: On its Original Cartier Steel and 18k Gold Bracelet. Fits approx 7.1in Wrist, with no spare links.
Hands: Cartier Blued-Steel Handset.
Crystal: Original Sapphire Crystal.
Crown: Cartier Crown Set with a Synthetic Cabochon-Shaped Spinel.
Strap/Bracelet: On its Original Cartier Steel and 18k Gold Bracelet. Fits approx 7.1in Wrist, with no spare links.
Box and Papers: No.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Serviced by Cartier December 2023.
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Bits that stand out:
- Serviced by Cartier December 2023.
- Remainder of 2 year Warranty.
- Superb Quality.
- Superb Quality.
- Guilloché Dial.
-Hacking Centre Seconds.
- Cabochon Crown.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Despite the Case being Refinished by Cartier, there are still some minor age related markings to the Case.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Despite the Case being Refinished by Cartier, there are still some minor age related markings to the Case.
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Overall the Santos is in very good pre-owned condition.
The Case has been thoughtfully refinished by Cartier.
The Crown is Mint, replaced during service.
Crystal is in very good shape.
The Dial is mint, replaced during service.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.
Photographed on a 7in Wrist.