1980s Cartier Santos 2961 godron with grey dial

Can you name a brand that evokes refined luxury better than Cartier? Cartier has always symbolized the elegance and luxury quintessence, present since 1847 in the jewelry and watchmaking field they are known as “Le Joaillier des Rois et le Roi des Joailliers” (Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers)

The Story behind the Cartier Santos is starting in 1906, when the crowd saw the aviator Santos-Dumont extract himself from his 14 bis airplane while checking his watch to see if he had just broken a record. 2 years earlier Louis Cartier had created the Santos watch to mark his friendship with the eponymous aviator. Its wish was granted: he could read the time in full flight.

There are many variants of the Cartier Santos, still in production since the 80s and you can always find the one for you. This example  is a reference 2961 with a date at 3 o’clock and called “Godron” for its typical bracelet. It is also recognizable by the engraved “G” on the back of the case.

The case plays with a clever mix of fine curves and the central rigor of the square, fixed by rivets. The dial is the rarer slate grey variant, showing no other indication than gold words Cartier and Swiss, and a date window.