Santos de Cartier Appreciation Thread

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by CNY

Anyone have one of the earlier models, such as a Galbée? Love the whole concept of the watch, but the current medium is a bit larger than I’d like. And, I prefer a square face.

I recently had Cartier restore this. I actually am wearing it far more than I thought I would. It was my dad’s daily, so it means the world to me.

Funny enough, this watch gets by far the most comments/compliments of my entire collection. I believe most in this shape were quartz, but this one is automatic. I know my dad purchased it through a friends AD in Hong Kong in the 80s.


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[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I recently had Cartier restore this. I actually am wearing it far more than I thought I would. It was my dad’s daily, so it means the world to me.

Funny enough, this watch gets by far the most comments/compliments of my entire collection. I believe most in this shape were quartz, but this one is automatic. I know my dad purchased it through a friends AD in Hong Kong in the 80s.


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Wow, I love this octagonal shape Cartier very much, it looks gorgeous. What is the size of this watch?

[Dino944]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I recently had Cartier restore this. I actually am wearing it far more than I thought I would. It was my dad’s daily, so it means the world to me.

Funny enough, this watch gets by far the most comments/compliments of my entire collection. I believe most in this shape were quartz, but this one is automatic. I know my dad purchased it through a friends AD in Hong Kong in the 80s.


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That's a great watch! Such a great reminder of your dad. I've rarely seen them as an automatic. Most times I've seen the smaller quartz ladies model. While square is the classic shape for a Santos, I'd love to see Cartier bring out a new modern version of the octagonal Santos and the round Santos.

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I recently had Cartier restore this. I actually am wearing it far more than I thought I would. It was my dad’s daily, so it means the world to me.

Funny enough, this watch gets by far the most comments/compliments of my entire collection. I believe most in this shape were quartz, but this one is automatic. I know my dad purchased it through a friends AD in Hong Kong in the 80s.


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Love it! How long did Carter take to restore? What did they charge to restore and lastly what exactly did they restore?

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

Love it! How long did Carter take to restore? What did they charge to restore and lastly what exactly did they restore?

Thanks! I originally wanted to just add a couple links to it. I went to numerous Cartier stores trying to find them. This was before I joined TRF. I sweet-talked Cartier Beverly Hills into giving me one with my sob story about it being my father’s watch.

I installed it and it was still too tight. Cartier BH didn’t have a second one, and warned me that it would be very difficult to find another one.

For the next several years, I would pop into Cartier stores around the world trying to find a link. It got to a point where I asked one location (I think it was Cannes, but can’t remember) for it, and they told me to give me a day they would ask corporate. Corporate apparently told them to tell me that they don’t have any for sale, and they are aware of my efforts to try to obtain one by visiting shops around the globe. Lol.

Fast forward to me establishing a relationship with a Rolex AD who sold Cartier. I decided to have the watch restored. They sent it to Geneva, and I got the first estimate, which mentioned servicing as the only requirement, with lots of optional stuff like refinishing dial, new bezel, new bracelet and new crystal.

There was a note that they were offering me a substantial discount on a new bracelet, as my rep had told them that I was the guy going around the world asking for links lol. (With this “geste commercial” the bracelet was around $1,400.)

I approved all the work except for the new bezel, as the bezel alone was around $1,900.

I got the watch back and it looked spectacular, except for this scratched, janky and polished-down bezel. I looked at my SA (who was the manager as well) and she just shook her head at me, knowing that I was about to send it back to have the bezel changed.

I’m glad I did, even if Cartier corp wants to smother me in my sleep. All in, it was around $3,800

Sorry for making y’all read this novel!

Here’s a pic of mine with my mom’s. Hers is also automatic, purchased at the Cartier store in the lobby of the Intercontinental in Paris in the early 80’s.

Funny enough, both of my uncles on different sides of the family also wore Santos, but the square one. My brother inherited one of them, but he is not into watches. I’m going to work on that one next.



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[Dino944]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

Thanks! I originally wanted to just add a couple links to it. I went to numerous Cartier stores trying to find them. This was before I joined TRF. I sweet-talked Cartier Beverly Hills into giving me one with my sob story about it being my father’s watch.

I installed it and it was still too tight. Cartier BH didn’t have a second one, and warned me that it would be very difficult to find another one.

For the next several years, I would pop into Cartier stores around the world trying to find a link. It got to a point where I asked one location (I think it was Cannes, but can’t remember) for it, and they told me to give me a day they would ask corporate. Corporate apparently told them to tell me that they don’t have any for sale, and they are aware of my efforts to try to obtain one by visiting shops around the globe. Lol.

Fast forward to me establishing a relationship with a Rolex AD who sold Cartier. I decided to have the watch restored. They sent it to Geneva, and I got the first estimate, which mentioned servicing as the only requirement, with lots of optional stuff like refinishing dial, new bezel, new bracelet and new crystal.

There was a note that they were offering me a substantial discount on a new bracelet, as my rep had told them that I was the guy going around the world asking for links lol. (With this “geste commercial” the bracelet was around $1,400.)

I approved all the work except for the new bezel, as the bezel alone was around $1,900.

I got the watch back and it looked spectacular, except for this scratched, janky and polished-down bezel. I looked at my SA (who was the manager as well) and she just shook her head at me, knowing that I was about to send it back to have the bezel changed.

I’m glad I did, even if Cartier corp wants to smother me in my sleep. All in, it was around $3,800

Sorry for making y’all read this novel!

Here’s a pic of mine with my mom’s. Hers is also automatic, purchased at the Cartier store in the lobby of the Intercontinental in Paris in the early 80’s.

Funny enough, both of my uncles on different sides of the family also wore Santos, but the square one. My brother inherited one of them, but he is not into watches. I’m going to work on that one next.



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Great story! I love that Cartier was aware that you are going around the world looking for extra bracelet links!

So glad to see that you saved both a piece of your family's watch history.

[CNY]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

Thanks! I originally wanted to just add a couple links to it. I went to numerous Cartier stores trying to find them. This was before I joined TRF. I sweet-talked Cartier Beverly Hills into giving me one with my sob story about it being my father’s watch.

I installed it and it was still too tight. Cartier BH didn’t have a second one, and warned me that it would be very difficult to find another one.

For the next several years, I would pop into Cartier stores around the world trying to find a link. It got to a point where I asked one location (I think it was Cannes, but can’t remember) for it, and they told me to give me a day they would ask corporate. Corporate apparently told them to tell me that they don’t have any for sale, and they are aware of my efforts to try to obtain one by visiting shops around the globe. Lol.

Fast forward to me establishing a relationship with a Rolex AD who sold Cartier. I decided to have the watch restored. They sent it to Geneva, and I got the first estimate, which mentioned servicing as the only requirement, with lots of optional stuff like refinishing dial, new bezel, new bracelet and new crystal.

There was a note that they were offering me a substantial discount on a new bracelet, as my rep had told them that I was the guy going around the world asking for links lol. (With this “geste commercial” the bracelet was around $1,400.)

I approved all the work except for the new bezel, as the bezel alone was around $1,900.

I got the watch back and it looked spectacular, except for this scratched, janky and polished-down bezel. I looked at my SA (who was the manager as well) and she just shook her head at me, knowing that I was about to send it back to have the bezel changed.

I’m glad I did, even if Cartier corp wants to smother me in my sleep. All in, it was around $3,800

Sorry for making y’all read this novel!

Here’s a pic of mine with my mom’s. Hers is also automatic, purchased at the Cartier store in the lobby of the Intercontinental in Paris in the early 80’s.

Funny enough, both of my uncles on different sides of the family also wore Santos, but the square one. My brother inherited one of them, but he is not into watches. I’m going to work on that one next.

Stories like that are what make the hobby fun :thumbsup. I went through a similar journey for my father's IWC, except we never ended up finding a bracelet replacement.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

Thanks! I originally wanted to just add a couple links to it. I went to numerous Cartier stores trying to find them. This was before I joined TRF. I sweet-talked Cartier Beverly Hills into giving me one with my sob story about it being my father’s watch.

I installed it and it was still too tight. Cartier BH didn’t have a second one, and warned me that it would be very difficult to find another one.

For the next several years, I would pop into Cartier stores around the world trying to find a link. It got to a point where I asked one location (I think it was Cannes, but can’t remember) for it, and they told me to give me a day they would ask corporate. Corporate apparently told them to tell me that they don’t have any for sale, and they are aware of my efforts to try to obtain one by visiting shops around the globe. Lol.

Fast forward to me establishing a relationship with a Rolex AD who sold Cartier. I decided to have the watch restored. They sent it to Geneva, and I got the first estimate, which mentioned servicing as the only requirement, with lots of optional stuff like refinishing dial, new bezel, new bracelet and new crystal.

There was a note that they were offering me a substantial discount on a new bracelet, as my rep had told them that I was the guy going around the world asking for links lol. (With this “geste commercial” the bracelet was around $1,400.)

I approved all the work except for the new bezel, as the bezel alone was around $1,900.

I got the watch back and it looked spectacular, except for this scratched, janky and polished-down bezel. I looked at my SA (who was the manager as well) and she just shook her head at me, knowing that I was about to send it back to have the bezel changed.

I’m glad I did, even if Cartier corp wants to smother me in my sleep. All in, it was around $3,800

Sorry for making y’all read this novel!

Here’s a pic of mine with my mom’s. Hers is also automatic, purchased at the Cartier store in the lobby of the Intercontinental in Paris in the early 80’s.

Funny enough, both of my uncles on different sides of the family also wore Santos, but the square one. My brother inherited one of them, but he is not into watches. I’m going to work on that one next.



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this is really cool. so cartier is still able to provide new bracelets for vintage models?

[CNY]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

I have the Carree and its my favorite watch ever

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I recently had Cartier restore this. I actually am wearing it far more than I thought I would. It was my dad’s daily, so it means the world to me.

Funny enough, this watch gets by far the most comments/compliments of my entire collection. I believe most in this shape were quartz, but this one is automatic. I know my dad purchased it through a friends AD in Hong Kong in the 80s.

Cheers - those are absolutely fantastic. I almost snagged a 2319 grey dial SIHH limited, but it sold while I started down the rabbit hole

Maybe it's time to beg Cartier to do a NSO...

[Carguy87]

Congrats on the new green dials everyone! I was actually offered one but passed after I tried it on it just felt a little too small on my wrist. I was absolutely wowed by the dial but the overall look on my wrist personally fell flat so I passed. Really wanted to love it.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

Congrats on the new green dials everyone! I was actually offered one but passed after I tried it on it just felt a little too small on my wrist. I was absolutely wowed by the dial but the overall look on my wrist personally fell flat so I passed. Really wanted to love it.

For the medium or large? The large wears pretty big IMO

[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by 7sins

For the medium or large? The large wears pretty big IMO

It was the large. I just felt like it accentuated the extra “pudge” in my forearms currently and didn’t look sporty or flattering on me. (need to get back to working out; extra stress at work and been gaining weight. This watch really pointed it out in the worst way). Such a bummer because I wanted to love it!

[Unitedplay]

Santos collection just pull off a sporty look yet classy. What a great timepiece. Congratz guys!

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

Wow, I love this octagonal shape Cartier very much, it looks gorgeous. What is the size of this watch?

Thank you so much for the kind words. I am not sure of the size. It’s small though. Maybe 32? I will try to pull up the service receipt, but maybe another knowledagnle forum member will reply.

Originally Posted by Dino944

That's a great watch! Such a great reminder of your dad. I've rarely seen them as an automatic. Most times I've seen the smaller quartz ladies model. While square is the classic shape for a Santos, I'd love to see Cartier bring out a new modern version of the octagonal Santos and the round Santos.

Thanks so much. My mom has the smaller octagonal watch. I’m pretty sure it is automatic too. It was her daily until she bought a used Rolex OP. I’ll try to get a family photo, ha.

[7sins]

I wonder if the green dials are different in Asia, I just grabbed one here in Malaysia on holiday and I have zero hint of greys, silvers that others elude to. Mine has an incredible sunburst green that looks dark green in the shade and a dynamic bright green in the sun, I would argue the best green dial I have ever seen. Helps getting it below MSRP and no sales tax :)

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I wonder if the green dials are different in Asia, I just grabbed one here in Malaysia on holiday and I have zero hint of greys, silvers that others elude to. Mine has an incredible sunburst green that looks dark green in the shade and a dynamic bright green in the sun, I would argue the best green dial I have ever seen. Helps getting it below MSRP and no sales tax :)

O damn! Enjoy that one! Thats the kind of green Id want. Everyone in the US is saying theirs is a smoky green that looks mostly grey/black

[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I wonder if the green dials are different in Asia, I just grabbed one here in Malaysia on holiday and I have zero hint of greys, silvers that others elude to. Mine has an incredible sunburst green that looks dark green in the shade and a dynamic bright green in the sun, I would argue the best green dial I have ever seen. Helps getting it below MSRP and no sales tax :)

Congrats B looks great! And yes dial appears by your photos to be a bit different shade of green, but lighting is always such a factor it would be interesting to know if they are in fact different.

[Willyjo]

Originally Posted by 7sins

I wonder if the green dials are different in Asia, I just grabbed one here in Malaysia on holiday and I have zero hint of greys, silvers that others elude to. Mine has an incredible sunburst green that looks dark green in the shade and a dynamic bright green in the sun, I would argue the best green dial I have ever seen. Helps getting it below MSRP and no sales tax :)

Hello. Got this today in Tokyo. At MSRP, but weak ¥ in my favour. I can’t capture this dial correctly w my iPhone. It is really beautiful.






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[7sins]

Originally Posted by Willyjo

Hello. Got this today in Tokyo. At MSRP, but weak ¥ in my favour. I can’t capture this dial correctly w my iPhone. It is really beautiful.






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Congrats! It can definitely be a bit camera shy, the green strap tends to bring the dial out and without the AD spotlights. Enjoy it, I am going next Monday to order a few straps, I love the new black rubber strap they came out with that I anticipate will pair well and along with a tan calf.

[thewolfofmiddlesex]

[buddenfan]

Santos’s are so underrated imo

[Benzsiam]

After I wear this smoky green for a week, I really love it. I think it looks better and classier than the bright green. It will shows more green when pair it with green strap.

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

After I wear this smoky green for a week, I really love it. I think it looks better and classier than the bright green. It will shows more green when pair it with green strap.

Post some more with it!

[Benzsiam]

I have one picture when pair with green strap, sorry for the dirty watch (a lot of finger print).

[Spartan2009]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

I have one picture when pair with green strap, sorry for the dirty watch (a lot of finger print).

Congratulations. Got to see this beauty at the Cartier boutique this past weekend. I was originally leaning towards the two tone large Santos. Now I think this will be the Cartier that I will add to my collection.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by Spartan2009

Congratulations. Got to see this beauty at the Cartier boutique this past weekend. I was originally leaning towards the two tone large Santos. Now I think this will be the Cartier that I will add to my collection.

Thanks and hope you get one soon.

[buddenfan]

Just got this in yesterday. Limited to 2,000 pcs made in 2000 for SIHH

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

Just got this in yesterday. Limited to 2,000 pcs made in 2000 for SIHH

Looks great. Congratulations!


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[CNY]

Originally Posted by buddenfan

Just got this in yesterday. Limited to 2,000 pcs made in 2000 for SIHH

So you're the one that beat me to that listing! I was wondering if it would pop up here...

Looks absolutely fantastic - mind sharing a wrist / lume shot?

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by CNY

So you're the one that beat me to that listing! I was wondering if it would pop up here...

Looks absolutely fantastic - mind sharing a wrist / lume shot?

The one from Chrono24 in Taiwan? Ended up getting it from the guy for 7k and not paying Chrono fees haha. Finessed the situation