Determination, freedom, comfort: the myth of the Santos de Cartier watch has been maintained throughout the successive decades since its creation in 1904 and goes way beyond the legend of Alberto Santos-Dumont. In the age of engineering, at the dawn of the 20th century, its revolutionary design and usage echoed the spirit of speed and progress. Its distinctive aesthetic symbolized the modern era.

The new Santos de Cartier watch stays true to this original philosophy by reflecting the innovative, ever-changing spirit of its own age. In updating this timepiece, the design studios focused on comfort, intelligent proportions and respect for the Santos aesthetic.

The strap is the defining element in the history of the Santos de Cartier, the first modern wristwatch. The original strap was in leather, a totally new material in watchmaking, and left the wearer free of the restrictions of the pocket watch. The new Santos de Cartier watch features an innovative strap in keeping with the spirit of our time. The new strap caters to modern lifestyles and ease of movement, and can be tailored to suit any occasion according to the choice of materials and colours. Available in steel, gold, calfskin or alligator skin, all versions are interchangeable thanks to the Cartier QuickSwitch system hidden under the strap. This invisible mechanism blends into the structure of the case and, to activate the system, the wearer simply presses the mechanism.

In April, Cartier unveiled its new Santos de Cartier campaign: a 60-second film directed by Seb Edwards and starring our #ManCrush, Jake Gyllenhaal that lets the imagination take flight. A tribute to the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the film celebrates his intrepid, thrill-seeking spirit and unstoppable quest to go further.

Discover the campaign and the timepiece made for the modern era below.