First Look

Cartier: Shaping up its signature models

By The Watches of Switzerland Group | 2 minute read

Cartier is admired in the luxury horology industry for its exquisitely shaped timepieces and, this year, it explores and reinvents some of its signature silhouettes, with new models across its Santos, Panthère and Tank Française collections, and the return of its elegantly curved Baignoire line. For gents, the Santos and Tank Française novelties are always a fail-safe dress watch, and we have our eye on one model of each in particular.

If you’re a regular Calibre reader and an avid horology fan, you’ll know that the Cartier Santos has a storied history. It began life in 1904, when Louis Cartier was asked by his friend, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, to create a device by which he could tell the time with ease while flying – and thus, it became the world’s first purpose-built wristwatch and pilot’s watch.

Cartier is admired in the luxury horology industry for its exquisitely shaped timepieces and, this year, it explores and reinvents some of its signature silhouettes

Last year, the Santos received a major revamp, when Cartier introduced its new SmartLink and QuickSwitch concepts across a range of models for both ladies and gents, allowing the wearer to adjust the bracelet without the need for any tools and to change the strap with ease. This year, the maison is building on that success as it adds new models into the Santos collection, including this handsome steel and yellow-gold model with an extra-large case, inside which ticks a chronograph movement. It will be available in stores in April, $14,300.

Elsewhere, we welcome the return of yellow gold and diamonds to the enduring Tank Française collection, as seen on this gorgeous model with a medium-sized pavé case. It’s powered by a quartz movement and will be available in Watches of Switzerland stores in September, $27,800.

Cartier: Shaping up its signature models

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