Arguably one of the most iconic timepieces ever, the Cartier Santos Dumont is the watch we must thank for the modern horology industry that we all know and love. Designed in 1904 as the first-ever pilot’s watch and thus the first-ever tool watch, the Cartier Santos Dumont has continued to push boundaries ever since it was strapped to the wrist of famous aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. As the story goes, Alberto asked Louis Cartier for a wristwatch that he could wear while flying, as it would be so much more practical than using his pocket watch while simultaneously trying to control his plane. Following on from that first timepiece, the Santos Dumont has grown to become a signature piece within Cartier’s iconic catalog, with it serving as the perfect canvas for Cartier to create limited edition variants that pay respect to a particular source of inspiration, with this limited edition example made for the Chinese market, the ref. W2SA0027 paying homage to the man who started it all, Alberto Santos-Dumont and China too. A limited edition of just 300 pieces, the ref. W2SA0027 features a 31.4mm version of the Santos Dumont’s case that is made stainless steel and 18kt rose gold that is matched with its stunning sunburst salmon dial that boasts silver Roman numerals along its chapter ring, with a Chinese character at 6 o’clock. Boasting white gold hands to match its silver Roman numerals, this timepiece uses matching colors to create a wonderfully bright and playful watch that is also intensely elegant.

A stunning timepiece that celebrates Cartier's position as a powerhouse of design and a powerhouse of watchmaking, the ref. W2SA0027 has everything one could want in a Santos-Dumont, along with the rarity associated with a limited edition launch for a foreign market.