166 Cartier A probably unique, impressive and highly collectible, Santos 100 XL automatic wristwatch in platinum, with special request blue roman numbers dial, certificate and invoice.

Estimate: € 40.000 –⁠ 80.000

The Cartier Santos is one of the most historically significant wristwatches ever created, being among the very first purpose-built wristwatches for men, designed by Louis Cartier in 1904 for the aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Over the decades, the Santos evolved from a tool of modernity into an icon of elegance, bridging Cartier’s jewelry heritage with horological utility. In 2004, on the 100th anniversary of the model, Cartier introduced the Santos 100—an enlarged and more assertive reinterpretation of the classic, aimed at a contemporary audience. The Santos 100 XL, in particular, brought more presence on the wrist and emphasized the model’s architectural lines, becoming a canvas for experimentation with precious metals and unique dial layouts. The present example must be considered among the most important Santos 100s known to exist. According to available information, only a handful examples of the Santos 100 XL were ever produced in platinum. This one, even more special, is a special request with a silvered dial and painted blue Roman numerals, distinguishing itself even more through a rare combination of aesthetic refinement and material exclusivity. The weight and heft of the platinum case are immediately noticeable, and the condition is superb, with sharp engravings and a remarkably well-preserved satin finish. The contrasting blue numerals on the dial, matched with elegant sword hands, provide legibility and a dynamic color tension rarely seen in other executions. With the market showing growing appreciation for unusual, early, or limited-production Cartier creations, this piece stands at the forefront of what collectors now pursue: rarity, distinction, and design pedigree. Offered with original certificate and invoice, this most proably unique, platinum Santos 100 XL is a connoisseur’s Cartier, representing the maison at its boldest and most exclusive.