Cartier Santos Carrée 09011

Cartier Santos Carree Automatique 09011 Ghost Dial Stainless Steel

Perhaps one of the most legendary timepieces ever, the Cartier Santos 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 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 his using his usual pocket watch while also trying to control his plane. Evolving through time like most pieces of design, the Cartier Santos has been characteristically fluid in its unique ability to encapsulate the aesthetic zeitgeist of whatever era it finds itself in. As such, Cartier released the Cartier Santos in 1978 to capitalize on the growing market for angular integrated bracelet watches thanks to the popularity of the Royal Oak, Nautilus and other such watches. With its integrated bracelet, exposed screws, angular design, raised polished bezel, distinctive bracelet and classical Cartier dial, the Santos was a success and since then has continued to grow as a collection with the Santos Carree, which we have here, being launched in the 1980s with its boxier case than the Galbee (‘carree’ means square in French) which was also launched around the same time. Powered by an automatic movement and featuring an elusive “ghost” dial whereby its inscriptions have faded away, this example is perhaps one of the most desirable variants of any vintage Santos Carree. Brand : Cartier Dimensions : 24mm Model : Santos Carree Movement : Automatic cal. 077 (ETA cal. 2671) Reference : 09011 Bracelet : Stainless steel bracelet Year : Circa 1980s Condition : Very Good Material : Stainless steel Included : Watch only Dial Color : Grey THE DIAL Sporting a grey dia that perfectly matches the color of its stainless steel construction, this Santos Carree's display serves to top off its monochromatic aesthetic. Additionally, offered as a revered "ghost" dial, this example's display has lost all of its inscriptions such as its Cartier branding at 12 o'clock or "SWISS" inscription at 6 o'clock. THE CONSTRUCTION Measuring 35mm from lug-to-lug and fitted with an integrated bracelet, the Santos Carree ref. 09011 wears much larger than its 24mm diameter would suggest, and so is the perfect watch for a collector seeking out a tasteful watch that is entirely under-the-radar. TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.