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 example, the ref. W2SA0025 paying homage to the man who started it all, Alberto Santos-Dumont. A limited edition of just 500 pieces, the ref. W2SA0025 features an XL version of the Santos Dumont’s case that is made stainless steel and 18kt rose gold that is matched with its stunning salmon dial that boasts a wavy engraving in its recessed center and applied Arabic numerals along its chapter ring, something on the rare side for Cartier to implement. Boasting blued steel hands to match its blue sapphire cabochon in its winding crown this timepiece uses contrasting colors to create a wonderfully bright and playful watch that is also intensely elegant, and with Alberto Santos-Dumont’s “No.19” flying machine found on its caseback, it is also a clear celebration of Cartier heritage as well.

A stunning timepiece that celebrates Cartier's position as a powerhouse of design and a powerhouse of watchmaking, the ref. W2SA0025 has everything one could want in a Santos-Dumont.