The history of this Cartier Santos
The Parisian Maison redefined the relationship with time in 1904 under the impetus of visionary Louis Cartier. His friend, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, told him of the perilous difficulty of telling the time mid-flight with a conventional pocket timepiece. The watchmaking answer came in the form of the very first modern wristwatch designed specifically for the male wrist. The singular design of reference WSSA0018 draws its direct inspiration from the industrial architecture of the early 1900s. The visible screws on the bezel make a bold break with the traditional codes of classical watchmaking, which sought to conceal these structural elements. This bold aesthetic is reminiscent of the rivets on the Eiffel Tower and marks the birth of a geometric icon with a truly timeless style.
Case, calibre and bracelet of this Santos
This timepiece reveals a robust stainless steel architecture with an assertive width of 39.8 millimetres for a thickness of 9.08 millimetres. The square geometry with its elegantly softened angles frames a magnificent opaline silver dial. The famous black Roman numerals dictate the precise reading of the hours, with the majestic secret signature finely integrated into the diagonal of the number 7. A discreet aperture at 6 o'clock indicates the current date. The emblematic sword-shaped hands in blued steel soar above this ensemble with remarkable clarity and contrast. The 7-sided crown features a precious faceted blue synthetic spinel. The self-winding Calibre 1847 MC, with its 42-hour power reserve, beats steadily beneath the solid caseback. The patented interchangeability system makes it possible to switch from the brushed steel bracelet to the 2nd calfskin leather strap in a fraction of a second.
Why this Cartier watch
This Grand Modèle naturally establishes itself as a masterpiece for connoisseurs and discerning collectors. The perfect visual balance of the case and the particularly fluid integration of the bracelet offer absolute comfort on the wrist. The worldwide craze for chic steel sports watches with integrated design continues unabated in the second-hand market. The discreet presence of the date adds a highly practical dimension for everyday use. The extreme versatility offered by the ability to change the strap without any tools transforms the overall look of the piece to suit the mood of the moment.
Delivered contents and condition
This sumptuous timepiece dating from February 2026 comes in an extremely complete configuration. The signature red case neatly accompanies the original official documents as well as the 2nd leather strap with its steel folding clasp. The watch is in an exceptional state of preservation worthy of the highest standards. The total absence of polishing fully preserves the bevelled edges and original geometry of the machined case. The minute traces of handling remain almost invisible and testify to the great care taken by the original owner since acquisition in the boutique.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this piece. The watch benefits from an international manufacture guarantee until February 2034. We accept returns within 10 days according to our conditions. As Switzerland's leading second-hand retailer with the largest network of boutiques, we offer online booking for on-site fitting and collection or fully secure international shipping.
* Very good condition - watch already worn and polished. Slight signs of external wear. Case and bracelet in excellent condition overall.
